Gov. Mike Braun of Indiana called a special legislative session on Monday to redraw congressional maps in his state to benefit Republicans, joining other Republican-held states in an effort by the Trump administration to keep control of the House of Representatives in midterm elections next year.
The governor described the special session, set for next week, as an attempt to “protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair.”
Mr. Braun, a Republican, did not specify in his statement whether the proposed map would target one or both of Indiana’s Democratic-held U.S. House seats.
Indiana Democrats immediately pushed back on the plan.
“This is not democracy,” said State Senator Shelli Yoder, the Democratic leader in her chamber. “This is desperation.”
Mr. Braun made the announcement after weeks of criticism from Democrats and, at times, from members of his own party. Republicans already hold seven of Indiana’s nine congressional seats, and he and other elected officials in the state were initially hesitant to follow Texas, North Carolina and Missouri in efforts to create more Republican seats in Congress by passing new congressional maps before the midterm elections.
Democrats have sought to counter those changes by proposing new maps in some states they lead. California voters will be asked next month to approve a new map that would create five more Democratic-leaning House districts. Virginia lawmakers are meeting in special session this week to consider a new map that would boost Democrats.
White House officials had focused on Indiana as an opportunity to pick up two additional seats. Vice President JD Vance flew to Indiana twice to personally lobby Mr. Braun and legislative leaders to redraw their maps in a way that would make all nine of the state’s congressional seats likely to be won by Republicans, but he left both times without a commitment from the governor.
“We listened,” Mr. Braun told reporters after the first meeting in August.
This month, President Trump called Republicans in the Indiana State Senate to urge them to support redrawing the maps, a significant escalation in pressure from the White House.
Republican state lawmakers in Indiana have also been inundated with emails from conservative groups like Turning Point USA, pushing them to support redistricting and threatening primaries against those who do not fall in line.
The push to redraw maps ahead of the 2026 midterms was endorsed by Republicans in Indiana’s congressional delegation, which embarked on a social media pressure campaign in August.
Redistricting typically happens at the beginning of each decade, based on new census data that requires the reapportionment of House seats to match population shifts.
Congressional Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the House and are determined to keep it to ward off efforts from Democrats to block legislation.
In August, dozens of protesters gathered at the Statehouse in Indiana to oppose the plans for new maps, loudly booing the vice president while he was in the building.
Representative André Carson, one of Indiana’s two Democratic members of Congress, joined the group. “We will not accept our state being cut and sliced and maneuvered for a wannabe king, Donald Trump,” he said.
If Republicans in Indiana approve new maps, both Mr. Carson, who represents most of Indianapolis, and Representative Frank Mrvan, a Democrat who represents the northwestern part of the state, might be drawn into newly red districts.
Micah Beckwith, the Republican lieutenant governor, showed enthusiasm for the plan after Mr. Vance visited the state, writing on social media: “Redistricting isn’t just politics — it’s about ensuring the voice of We the People is heard loud and clear. Indiana is proud to play a key role in shaping a stronger, freer future for our nation.”
Tyler Pager contributed reporting.
Julie Bosman is the Chicago bureau chief for The Times, writing and reporting stories from around the Midwest.
Nick Corasaniti is a Times reporter covering national politics, with a focus on voting and elections.
Mitch Smith is a Chicago-based national correspondent for The Times, covering the Midwest and Great Plains.
The post Indiana Republicans Call Special Session to Gain Power in Congress appeared first on New York Times.
