INDIANAPOLIS — Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith challenged Republicans in the Indiana Senate Wednesday over their resistance to redistricting, after the Senate majority communications office said, "the votes aren't there."
PREVIOUS | Braun: 'Getting very close' on session call; Senate says votes aren't there
In a statement posted on social media, Beckwith wrote a strong statement directly to Senate Republicans.
"The people of Indiana did not elect a Republican supermajority so our Senate could cower, compromise, or collapse at the very moment courage is required," Beckwith wrote.
As President of the Senate, Beckwith said his Republican colleagues were "failing to stand with President Trump" and "failing to deliver the 9-0 conservative map our citizens overwhelmingly expect."
"For years, it has been said accurately that the Indiana Senate is where conservative ideas from the House go to die. As President of the Senate, I am no longer willing to let that reputation stand unchallenged," Beckwith wrote.
He called on Senate Republicans to support redistricting: "I am calling on my Republican colleagues in the Indiana Senate to find your backbone, to remember who sent you here, and to reclaim Indiana's rightful voice in Congress by drawing a 9-0 map."
FULL STATEMENT ON X:
Statement from Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith on redistricting. pic.twitter.com/3Z0RshGQoc
— Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith (@LGMicahBeckwith) October 22, 2025
Lawmakers in support of redistricting
Senator Chris Garten also posted a statement on social media on Wednesday declaring his support for redistricting.
"I fully support redistricting in Indiana and have been in support since day one," Garten wrote. "Out of respect for caucus deliberations, I haven't made a public statement, but my colleagues and the constituents I've spoken to have known where I stand."
Garten said redistricting would counter Democratic efforts in other states.
"This is not a fight Republicans picked, but it's at our doorstep, and I'm prepared to answer the call," he wrote. "For decades, Democrat states have gerrymandered in the dark of the night. Yet those same Democrats fake outrage at the notion Indiana would redraw our maps to balance the scales."
FULL STATEMENT ON X:
I fully support redistricting in Indiana and have been in support since day one.
— Chris Garten (@sen_chrisgarten) October 22, 2025
Out of respect for caucus deliberations, I haven’t made a public statement, but my colleagues and the constituents I’ve spoken to have known where I stand. In light of recent speculation about where…
WRTV spoke with Republican Senator Liz Brown, who supports redrawing the boundaries. She has visited the White House, attended meetings with Vice President Vance and participated in last Friday's call with President Trump.
Watch Senator Brown's full interview with WRTV's Nicole Griffin below
Brown tells WRTV they've shared extensive information, and she believes not all of her colleagues have been able to attend these meetings, which explains why there aren't enough votes in the Senate right now.
"When you start to look at the data and understand the gravity of the situation… where we are as a country… and we have to compromise conservative values because we don't have opportunities we should in Congress because republican voices are not being represented in so many other states," Brown said.
When asked if she thinks there will eventually be enough votes, Brown expressed confidence.
"Yes I do… fairly confident there will be a special session. My understanding is… the house is on board," Brown said.
Brown emphasized her active participation in the process.
"I've taken advantage of every opportunity. If we've had a caucus call, I've been fortunate. Not all of my fellow senators have been able to participate in all of these," Brown said. "I went out to the White House, as I had done actually during the first Trump administration, when we had an opportunity to do that, was there when Vice President Vance came and was on the call, and what they've done is just share a lot of information and to make us understand the gravity of this situation of where we are as a country and how many Republican voices have been suppressed in other states."
Those opposing redistricting
However, Congressman Andre Carson, who represents Indiana's 7th District, strongly opposes the redistricting effort. If the maps are redrawn, he holds one of the two seats that would be vulnerable.
"We're not Democrats or Republicans. We're Hoosiers first. Hoosiers don't want redistricting. Poll after poll has shown this and more importantly, the fact that lawmakers haven't acted, it shows that Indiana has an independent spirit. I have great respect for my colleagues across the aisle who will not bend to political pressure and threats," Carson said.
Watch Rep. Carson's full interview with WRTV's Nicole Griffin below
Carson emphasized that polling shows Hoosiers oppose redistricting.
"Hoosiers don't want this. I have seen poll after poll. That is definitive, overwhelmingly so, Hoosiers are against this. State lawmakers don't want it, and the only person who wants this is Donald Trump and loyalists. That's not how we do things in Indiana," Carson said.
Mitch Daniels, former Governor of Indiana, urged Indiana Republicans to resist White House pressure to redraw congressional district lines ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In a Washington Post opinion piece titled "I want the GOP to keep control of the House. But not this way," Daniels argues Indiana's current map is already fair, described as "visually reasonable, salamander-free," stating that Republicans won seven of nine seats after receiving about 60% of the vote.
Carson shared his thoughts on Daniels' op-ed.
"I loved Governor Daniels' piece, even calling out these are empty threats… Those legislators will have to face their constituents, who have reported poll after poll they don't want this. Would you rather have a pat on the head from a tyrannical leader or a pat on the back from your constituents that say keep up the great work in representing our state," Carson said.
Redistricting debate continues
The statements come as Republican leadership remains divided over calling a special session for mid-decade redistricting.
Gov. Mike Braun said Wednesday he is "getting very close" to a decision on calling a special session, despite the Senate communications office saying votes aren't there.
The White House has been pushing Indiana and other states to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, including with several meetings with Indiana's Republican leadership:
- October 10: Vice President JD Vance met with Governor Mike Braun (second meeting)
- August 26: Trump met with House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Bray at the White House
- August 7: Vance's first meeting with Braun and legislative leaders
Gov. Braun also said Wednesday there has been "a lot of jawboning from the White House with senators, especially."
Beckwith had previously predicted a special legislative session would be called in early November.
"If we will not fight now, for our state, our children, and our country, then what exactly are we here for? Indiana Senate, let's get this done now," Beckwith concluded in his statement.
