The Indiana House recently approved a new congressional map that could help Republicans gain two additional seats. The bill passed with a vote of 57-41, but not all Republicans support it. In fact, some GOP leaders in the Senate claim there isn’t enough backing for this map, which aims for full Republican control over all nine congressional districts in the state.
This move has raised tensions, resulting in threats and harassment against lawmakers who oppose the map. At least 11 Indiana Republicans have faced swatting incidents—false police reports intended to provoke an aggressive law enforcement response.
Currently, only two Democrats, Reps. André Carson and Frank Mrvan, represent Indiana in Congress. The new map threatens to break their districts apart and would divide Indianapolis into four different districts, diminishing the influence of Democratic voters in the area.
Rep. Ben Smaltz, who introduced the new legislation, stated that the map was crafted with political strategy in mind, highlighting that it was drawn by the National Republican Redistricting Trust, the same group responsible for the recent Texas map changes.
Critics, including House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, called the map a direct assault on the democratic process. Rep. Matt Pierce voiced concerns about how representatives would manage the vastly different communities they would need to represent under the new map.
This redistricting effort in Indiana follows a broader trend across the country where states are aggressively modifying their congressional maps. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of Texas, allowing its new map, which may net the GOP up to five seats in the next elections. States like California and Missouri are also drawing new maps aiming to counteract Republican gains from Texas.
Interestingly, a recent survey indicates that 67% of Indiana voters believe redistricting should prioritize community interests over political gain. This data reflects growing public concern about the implications of such partisan maps. As the next elections approach, the outcome of these redistricting battles will not only affect the political landscape in Indiana but across the entire nation.
For more context on redistricting trends and their impacts, you can visit the [Brennan Center for Justice](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/redistricting-2020s-overview-and-updates) for in-depth analysis and statistics.
