The Roberts twins of Indianapolis — Nick, a Democratic city–county councilor, and Nathan, a Republican activist — testified on opposite sides of an Indiana redistricting debate and then publicly clarified who was who after social media confusion. Despite disagreeing on most political issues, they maintain a close, nonconfrontational relationship built on shared history, hobbies and rules like no politics at Thanksgiving. Experts say their approach — private conversations, setting expectations, and listening with empathy — reflects best practices for preventing polarization from destroying family ties.
Twins on Opposite Sides: How Two Brothers Keep Family Ties Despite Deep Political Differences
Nick Roberts, left, and his twin brother, Nathan, pose for a photo at the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash in Indianapolis in 2023. - Courtesy Nick Roberts
When Indiana lawmakers faced pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies to redraw congressional maps in a way that would favor Republicans, Indianapolis city–county councilor Nick Roberts joined a large group of Democrats who testified against the proposal at the state capitol. After his testimony, social media users were confused — some thought they'd seen him speaking in favor of redistricting, others suspected an AI deepfake.
Nick moved quickly to clarify in a social video: he has a twin brother, Nathan Roberts, who is also active in politics but on the opposite side of the aisle. "If you see somebody that looks like me at a Republican event, or definitely if they're wearing a MAGA hat, it is not me, it is him," Nick said. "While we disagree on a lot of things, he's still my brother and I care about him."
Nick Roberts, a Democratic member of the Indianapolis City-County Council, speaks at a committee hearing in Indianapolis on December 2. - Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar/USA Today Network/Imagn Images
The Policy Split
Nathan testified the same day in favor of the redistricting plan, arguing that voters had had years to elect different leaders and had not. He has moved into public-policy work, co-founding the anti–mass-migration nonprofit Save Heritage Indiana with Daniel Poynter, founder of the tech firm Technology for Freedom, which has worked with conservative organizations including The Heritage Foundation.
"There's nothing about illegal immigration at the state house. So, we created a nonprofit group based off of it because we thought there was a huge need," Nathan told CNN.
The group frames its mission around preserving Indiana's cultural heritage and limiting large flows of migration into the state. It has received endorsements from several Republican state lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith. Nick says he strongly disagrees with Nathan's approach to immigration, redistricting and education — estimating they differ on about 95% of political issues.
Nathan Roberts speaks at a House elections committee hearing in Indianapolis on December 2. - Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar/USA Today Network/Imagn Images
Family, Shared Interests, and Civil Disagreement
The twins — now 25 — have long identified differently politically. Nick wrote in a middle-school essay that he was "the Democrat," and both grew more engaged in politics after the 2016 presidential election. Nick entered public office first, winning election in 2023 as Indianapolis' youngest city–county councilor at 23.
Raised in a multigenerational Indianapolis household — with influences ranging from religious conservatives to progressive relatives — the brothers credit family, small-business experience and a hardworking father for shaping their views. They also share lighter bonds: a love of dogs, running the Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash, Advanced Placement classes, and a childhood interest in maps sparked by their great-grandfather, Carl Brooks.
Nathan Roberts, left, and his twin brother, Nick, pose in 2003. - Courtesy Nick Roberts
Those shared ties help explain why their disagreements rarely escalate. Nathan said they have "never even had a political argument that reached the level of a shouting match." The brothers also observe an informal rule: no politics at Thanksgiving.
Broader Context And Expert Advice
The Roberts' relationship stands out amid growing affective polarization — the degree to which partisans dislike one another — which scholars trace back to shifts beginning in the 1970s and which intensified with the rise of social media and partisan cable news. The Republican and Democratic parties have grown more ideologically cohesive, contributing to sharper social divides.
Twin sisters Jessica Ann Tyson, left, and Monica Sparks pose in Kentwood, Michigan, in 2018. Both ran for office in their individual communities. - Steven M. Herppich/AFP/Getty Images
Experts interviewed by CNN and referenced by the brothers offer practical guidance for families navigating political differences. Bill Doherty, cofounder of Braver Angels, urges structured, respectful conversations. Psychologist Dr. Tania Israel recommends building a warm relationship first, setting expectations, and focusing on understanding rather than trying to win debates.
"You don't want to challenge them because they're not going to pay any attention to that when you don't have that warm and trusting relationship with them," Israel said.
Nick echoed that view: "If we want to change hearts and minds, you don't do it by 30 feet down and telling people how wrong they are. You have to do it through empathy." He and Nathan say one-on-one conversations — a walk or coffee — are better settings than public family meals for difficult topics.
A young Nick Roberts, left, is seen with his twin brother, Nathan, and their mother, Brooke, in 2001. - Courtesy Nick Roberts
Other Sibling Examples
The Roberts are not unique. Twin sisters Monica Sparks (Democrat) and Jessica Ann Tyson (Republican) in Michigan, and brothers Craig DeLuz (Republican) and David DeLuz (Democrat) in California, have also demonstrated that close family bonds can survive public political disagreements while promoting civil discourse.
By prioritizing empathy, shared interests and clear conversational boundaries, the Roberts twins illustrate that deep political differences do not have to end family relationships — though their public roles sometimes make joint photo ops awkward. Their story offers a model for households trying to preserve relationships in an era of heightened polarization.
Help us improve.
