(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indiana Senate Republicans broke with President Donald Trump on Thursday, voting down a congressional map that would have heavily favored the GOP in the 2026 elections. The proposal failed despite Republican supermajorities in the chamber, with 21 GOP senators joining all 10 Democrats to reject the plan. The map would have split Indianapolis into four districts and likely eliminated the state's two Democratic-held congressional seats, creating a potential 9-0 Republican delegation.
While several Republican-led states have moved forward with aggressive redistricting, many Indiana Republicans balked at what critics called blatant partisan gerrymandering.
Democrats praised the vote, saying public pressure played a key role. Party leaders said lawmakers responded to widespread opposition from voters concerned about political power grabs and urged the legislature to refocus on everyday issues like rising costs and health care access.
The defeat marks a rare and public break with President Trump by Indiana Republicans, even as the GOP-controlled House passed the map last week. Some party leaders are now backing primary challengers against senators who opposed the plan.