INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The question of whether the state Senate will pass the new congressional map will likely be answered this week in Indianapolis after the House passed it on Friday.
Last month, Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said senate republicans considered redrawing congressional maps in Indiana, but there weren’t enough votes to move the idea forward. Despite that, the Indiana State Senate reconvened this week to take up redistricting after Bray said later that senators would come back and decide on whatever redistricting proposal came from the House.
Republican state senator Sue Glick (R-LaGrange) told ABC57’s Jordan Tolbert she does not think the Senate has the votes.
“I do not believe it'll pass, and it's because there are a number of Republicans who feel like I do that it's just-- it's not the time to do this, it's not necessary. It is going to cause ramifications down the line. I mean, we're only about three weeks out to the beginning of the filing period for the congressional districts that you would have to adjust election schedules, filing deadlines, the pre-primary elections. This is a hurried-up situation that's not necessary,” said Glick. “Everyone is entitled to representation. The Constitution of the United States guarantees it. The Indiana State Constitution confirms that. Everyone is entitled to their vote, one man one vote, or one person, one vote, if you will, and they're entitled to select that person that they want to represent them, either at the state house or in the halls of Congress.”
She says it shouldn’t be the politicians choosing the people, but the people choosing the politicians.
“I think that's where the dispute is, if you will, at the statehouse right now, is, we're looking at these maps, and is it necessary to redraw them when we were confident we had fair maps in 2021?” said Glick.
The redistricting bill is now in the Senate’s hands. It passed through committee on Monday, with the committee report adopted Tuesday.
Senators will be back again on Wednesday, where the issue will likely be discussed at length.
Democratic Senator David Niezgodski (D-South Bend) sent ABC57 a statement on redistricting.
“Upon the conclusion of this legislative work week, it is my hope that this unnecessary question of mid-cycle redistricting will finally and thoroughly be dispatched with,” said Niezgodski.
Niezgodkski says the redistricting bill will have a 2nd reading tomorrow, which involves amendments. A third reading will happen on Thursday, which is when the Senate will vote on the redistricting bill.
He hopes to pass meaningful legislation focused on affordability for Hoosiers in the 2026 legislative session. Niezgodski says his bill, SB 63, will receive a hearing on Wednesday this week.
President Trump went on Truth Social just days ago, praising the efforts of some Indiana House Republicans to pass new maps last week, while pointing out some state senators he says “need encouragement to make the right decision.”
According to Politico, House Speaker Mike Johnson has been calling ‘reluctant’ republican lawmakers. That same article said Indiana Governor Mike Braun attended a Christmas party at the White House on Sunday, where he was asked by President Trump if redistricting would pass. Braun reportedly said it would.
Some state lawmakers have received threats as the redistricting debate unfolds in the statehouse.
ABC57’s Jordan Tolbert also spoke with United States Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana) on Tuesday and asked if he had a comment on the mid-cycle redistricting effort in Indiana.
"My belief has always been that these matters are handled best at the state level. That's what the law has always been. Our state legislators are handling this, working with the governor and informed by the opinions of the people of Indiana. There's really no role for federal legislators to play in this effort, no role for any federal officials. I think that's as it should be,” said Young.