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In a dramatic action, Indiana Republicans voted down a plan to redistrict the state's U.S. House map on Thursday. This decision marks a pointed rejection of former President Trump and wider national campaigns to gerrymander electoral districts to benefit Republican candidates.

The Roll Call

The proposal did not pass by a tally of 19 to 31. A notable group of 21 GOP senators joined forces with ten Democratic senators to reject the proposed district maps.

Currently, GOP representatives represent 7 of Indiana's nine congressional districts. The defeated plan was crafted to create Republican-leaning electorates in all nine congressional seats. This would have been achieved through several major changes:

• Dividing the Democratic stronghold of the state capital into 4 separate districts.
• Appending segments of Indianapolis voters to adjacent heavily Republican regions.
• Splitting the north-western congressional district, currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan, into two separate districts.

Key Holdout

State Senator Greg Goode (R), a pivotal GOP 'no' vote, opposed the map. In a lengthy address to the chamber, he stated that his vote reflected the will of his voters.

"I'm a Christian man first and foremost, then an American, then a conservative, then a Republican – in that order," he stated. "I am certain that my vote reflects the will of my district."

Broader Battle

This push in Indiana took place amid a national push by Donald Trump to influence the redistricting of district lines to create more Republican seats ahead of next year’s midterms. Republicans currently maintain a very slim lead in the U.S. House of Representatives and are broadly expected to lose ground in the forthcoming election.

In other states, Republicans in Texas, the Tar Heel State, and the Show-Me State have all passed maps to benefit their side. At the same time, Democrats have responded by adjusting districts in states like the Golden State to possibly gain multiple seats. The Democratic party in the Commonwealth of Virginia are also ready to overhaul maps for Democratic advantage.

Intense Pressure

The former president undertook a bare-knuckled push to pressure Hoosier Republicans to approve the redistricting plan. Vice President J.D. Vance allegedly visited the state capitol on several occasions to confer with state senators.

In a statement on his Truth Social, the former president voiced his displeasure on Wednesday. "All other State has done redistricting, happily, openly, and without issue. There was no doubt in their minds that helping to secure a victory in the Midterms for the Republican Party was a positive thing to do for our Party, and for America itself," he posted. "Unfortunately, Indiana's Senate “Leader” Rod Bray seems to enjoy being the only person in the United States of America who is opposed to Republicans picking up additional seats, in Indiana’s case, two of them."

Pressure Tactics

In the lead-up to the vote, Indiana GOP senators reportedly received death threats and swatting incidents. Additionally, Vice President J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. openly attacked Senate Leader Rod Bray ahead of the Thursday roll call.

The advocacy group Heritage Action, the activist arm of the right-leaning think tank, also weighed in, stating on Thursday that the state would lose congressional funds if it did not pass the map. Their message suggested that key state initiatives and services would be impacted.