Braun Holds Off on Redistricting Stance as Indiana Republican Leaders Gauge Their Caucuses

Gov. Mike Braun on Friday again declined to say whether he supports redrawing Indiana's congressional districts, saying he wants to hear first from Republican leaders in the General Assembly.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Indiana State Police post in Indianapolis, Braun said his position had not changed. He said individual House and Senate members would begin speaking up, while the top leader of each caucus weighs what their members want. "That process will take a while to play out," he said.

Braun said he is deferring to House Speaker Todd Huston and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray. Neither leader has laid out a position, although some members of their caucuses have. The governor said he has not yet spoken with Bray, Huston or other lawmakers about the issue, and that he is not reaching out to members of those caucuses. He added that anyone who wants to talk to him is welcome to do so.

Indiana's next regular legislative session begins in early January, and a one-day ceremonial Organization Day is set for November. Braun said that once he gets a clear message from the two leaders, he will decide whether to call a session or whether other reasons would require one before January.

His wait-and-see approach comes as Indiana Republicans face growing pressure from Washington to revisit the congressional map, which was last drawn in 2021. The national conservative group Club for Growth has produced an ad declaring that "Hoosier Republicans must fight back" and that President Donald Trump needs state lawmakers to pass new maps. Earlier this week, a group of Republican legislators traveled to the White House, where discussions touched in part on redistricting. Bray and Huston also met privately with Trump.

Braun said the two leaders are polling their own members. "They're in the process, they're getting their own members engaged, and you'll see more — because there'll be more," he said.

On Friday, longtime Republican Sen. Greg Walker of Columbus came out against the idea as momentum appeared to build for a special session. Walker, who is not seeking re-election, said the maps are only four years old and have been through considerable public scrutiny. "There is no justification for holding a special session to change our districts in mid-census," he said. He criticized the push as one driven by outsiders, saying that if Texas and California want to redistrict their seats, "so be it," but Indiana lawmakers should resist rather than follow.

Walker defended the current boundaries, saying they increased the number of counties kept within a single district and reduced the number of townships split among districts. He noted that 84 of Indiana's 92 counties remain whole and that each district has just over 753,000 people, with populations nearly equal.

Republicans currently hold seven of Indiana's nine congressional seats. The maps were approved by the GOP-controlled legislature and signed by then-Gov. Eric Holcomb, and have not faced a court challenge. "Our maps are fair," Walker said. "They are balanced. And in Indiana, voters have the power."