INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun said Wednesday that Indiana is "getting very close" to a decision on calling a special session for redistricting, hours after the Indiana Senate Majority Communications Office told WRTV "the votes aren't there."
Speaking at a Harper Collins groundbreaking in Brownsburg, Braun addressed questions about the potential special session and a petition signed by 10,000 Hoosiers opposing redistricting.
"So we're still not there, but we're getting very close," Braun said. "It's going to happen soon if we're going to do it. There's been a lot of jawboning from the White House with senators especially, so we're getting close."
When asked about the 10,000-signature petition against redistricting, Braun acknowledged it but suggested Republicans feel compelled to act due to what he says is Democratic gerrymandering elsewhere.
"Certainly would [consider the petition], but they're coming from a place that I understand why they don't want to do it because it's from that end of the spectrum that's gerrymandered across the country to where many Republicans now are feeling that this is kind of balancing the equation," Braun said.
The governor pointed to Massachusetts as an example, noting the state "has been totally blue with 9 congressional districts for I don't know how long."
When pressed about the Senate Republicans' statement that votes aren't there, Braun remained optimistic: "I think that the case hasn't quite been made, but I think it will be."
Earlier Wednesday, Braun had pushed back against the Senate assessment on social media, saying: "I am still having positive conversations with members of the legislature. I am confident the majority of Indiana Statehouse Republicans will support efforts to ensure fair representation in congress for every Hoosier."
I am still having positive conversations with members of the legislature. I am confident the majority of Indiana Statehouse Republicans will support efforts to ensure fair representation in congress for every Hoosier.
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) October 22, 2025
Democrats, advocacy groups respond
In response to news reports that Indiana Senate Republicans do not have the votes to pursue mid-decade redistricting, House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) released the following statement:
"Nobody is asking for redistricting. Instead, Hoosiers are asking their elected leaders to fix their high utility bills, property taxes and absurd health care costs. House Democrats have received massive amounts of calls against redistricting, and I'm sure the Senate Republicans have, too.
I'll continue to monitor the possibility of redistricting until we end the 2026 legislative session in March."
Megan Robertson, Executive Director of Indiana Conservation Voters, also responded to Wednesday's news:
"Today's news from the Indiana Senate is proof that Hoosiers are being heard. Lawmakers are standing strong against political pressure from Washington. It's clear they care deeply about our state and are putting Hoosiers first. That's something we can all be proud of.
We are grateful to members of the Senate who have listened to what Hoosiers across the state are saying loud and clear: mid-decade redistricting is unnecessary, unpopular and unfair.
"We hope Governor Braun will embrace this opportunity to show the same kind of leadership, working with lawmakers to address real issues impacting families, like rising energy bills, property taxes and the cost of living."
White House push
The White House has been pushing Indiana and other states to undergo mid-cycle congressional redistricting to improve Republicans' chances in next year's midterm elections.
Last week, state Republican lawmakers took part in a phone call with President Trump to discuss redistricting.
It was only the latest in a series of high-level Republican meetings about redistricting in Indiana:
- 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
