Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Indiana state House Republicans have released a draft congressional map that would give the GOP an edge in all nine of the state\u2019s congressional districts \u2014 potentially netting the party two seats in the Hoosier State \u2014 though the map\u2019s passage is still far from certain.<\/p>\n
The biggest changes in the proposed map come in the state\u2019s two Democratic-leaning districts, held by Reps. Frank Mrvan<\/a> and Andr\u00e9 Carson<\/a>. Mapmakers split Marion County \u2014 home to Indianapolis \u2014 into four different districts, essentially diluting the Democrats’ strength in the area.<\/p>\n While the map is in line with President Donald Trump\u2019s request for a GOP sweep, it still faces a number of obstacles in order to pass.<\/p>\n State House Speaker Todd Huston has consistently said his caucus could pass the new map, and Speaker Mike Johnson<\/a> huddled with lawmakers this weekend in what was described by one person briefed on the call as very “rah rah” ahead of them convening.<\/p>\n The map\u2019s fate in the state Senate, where President Pro Tem Rodric Bray remains opposed, is still uncertain. The White House and other outside groups continue to ramp up pressure on lawmakers resistant to redistricting, and one even faced threats of a pipe bomb over the weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n Republicans who oppose redrawing have said its best to focus the GOP\u2019s energy on flipping a district outright instead of changing the playing field.<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems like the public is talking about this in terms of a binary choice: either 7-2 or redistricting and get 9-0,\u201d Bray told POLITICO last month<\/a>, explaining his reluctance to take on a redraw. \u201cThat is not clear at all to me, because we don\u2019t know who\u2019s going to run.\u201d<\/p>\n The draft map’s release comes after months of back and forth between the White House and Indiana lawmakers, including two visits to the state from Vice President JD Vance.<\/p>\n The state House is expected to vote on the map this week, and the state Senate is meeting next week to weigh the version passed by the House. Turning Point USA, one of the GOP groups pushing for a new map, is planning a rally at the statehouse Friday.<\/p>\n If state lawmakers approve the map, Indiana would become the fourth GOP-led state to redraw ahead of the midterms. So far, Republicans have drawn districts that could net nine seats across Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Missouri, though legal challenges remain.<\/p>\n A panel of federal judges blocked Texas\u2019 gerrymander last month<\/a>, but the Supreme Court has allowed it to stay in place for now<\/a> as it continues to consider the case ahead of the state\u2019s filing deadline next week.<\/p>\n Democrats have found redistricting success, too, through California\u2019s Proposition 50<\/a> \u2014 which could capture the party five seats of their own \u2014 as well as a court-ordered redraw in Utah. Utah\u2019s GOP-controlled legislature plans to appeal<\/a> the court\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n In Virginia, Democrats took their first steps to redraw and will continue the process early next year. Maryland and Illinois continue to face pressure from within the party<\/a> to pursue their own gerrymanders, but similar dynamics to Indiana have left some state lawmakers unwilling to get on board.<\/p>\n Republicans still have their own potential states on the board. Florida is expected to start discussing the issue later this month, and Kansas and Kentucky could join in January. Other GOP efforts in Nebraska and New Hampshire have faltered<\/a>.<\/p>\n