Trump Names Indiana Senators Who ‘Need Encouragement’ to Back GOP Redistricting That Could Net Two Seats

Trump Urges Indiana Senate To Approve New GOP Map

President Donald Trump on Friday praised Indiana Republicans for advancing a revised congressional map and publicly pressed several state senators to support the proposal, which he said could deliver the GOP two additional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump described the updated plan as "much fairer" and "improved," congratulating leaders of the Indiana General Assembly’s Republican majority for moving the new congressional lines earlier in the day. He wrote: "It was my Honor to win Indiana six times, including Primaries, in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and this new Map would give the incredible people of Indiana the opportunity to elect TWO additional Republicans in the 2026 Midterm Elections."

"The Indiana Senate must now pass this Map, AS IS, and get it to Governor Mike Braun’s desk, ASAP, to deliver a gigantic Victory for Republicans in the 'Hoosier State,' and across the Country," he added.

Trump also named nine state senators he said "need encouragement" and urged supporters to contact them: Blake Doriot, Brett Clark, Brian Buchanan, Dan Dernulc, Ed Charbonneau, Greg Goode, Jim Buck, Rick Niemeyer, and Ryan Mishler.

Legislative Status: The updated congressional lines, introduced by Republicans earlier in the week, passed the Indiana House by a 57-41 vote. The map is drawn to favor Republican candidates in all nine of the state’s districts and, if enacted, would make the 1st and 7th districts — currently held by Democratic Reps. Frank Mrvan and André Carson — more difficult for those incumbents to retain. The measure’s fate is uncertain in the state Senate, which was expected to consider the proposal on Monday.

Pressure And Consequences: Trump and his allies have been pushing Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps ahead of next year’s midterms. He has threatened to back primary challengers against Republicans who oppose mid-decade redistricting. Some lawmakers who expressed skepticism reported receiving swatting calls and bomb threats amid the dispute.

Trump returned to Truth Social on Saturday demanding support for the plan, asking, "Why would a REAL Republican vote against this when the Dems have been doing it for years???" He wrote: "If they stupidly say no, vote them out of Office - They are not worthy - And I will be there to help!"

Gov. Mike Braun has voiced support for the effort after pressure from the former president, who said Braun "must produce" more GOP seats.

National Context

Separately, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday revived a contested congressional map in Texas — a decision that could create up to five Republican pickup opportunities. That Texas map had been blocked last month by a federal judge panel after Gov. Greg Abbott signed the legislation adopting the new lines. The Texas dispute has helped spur other redistricting fights nationwide, with several measures prompting legal challenges from Democrats and civil-rights groups.

Updated at 3:30 p.m. EST. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.