Protesters gather inside the Indiana Statehouse as Vice President J.D. Vance privately meets with Indiana Governor Mike Braun. Photo courtesy of WT›HR.
REESE PARADOWSKI | OPINION CO-EDITOR | rparadowski@butler.edu
Recently, Indiana has found itself in a rare national spotlight — between Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to the Indiana Statehouse and Indiana Republican lawmakers’ visit to the White House — making it a GOP target state for redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Out of the nine congressional districts, seven are currently represented by Republicans. That leaves the 1st District of Northwestern Indiana and the 7th District of the majority of Indianapolis as the two districts Republicans want to flip, resulting in complete GOP control of the state, if successful. Not to mention the two additional seats in the horse race for majority control of the U.S. House in 2026.
Let me be clear, redistricting mid-decade is rare. In essence, congressional maps are only redrawn after every decennial census, and only for population or civil rights violations. Between 1970 and 2025, there have only been 40 mid-decade redistricting changes, with the vast majority of them involving court orders, not a temperamental president.
The Trump administration’s bizarre attempt to hand-pick representatives is a first of its kind, but it seems Hoosiers in the lone two Democratic districts aren’t too excited about the proposal.
Senior history major Breanna Wilson says Rep. Frank Mrvan — her representative — has made progress in the 1st District.
“Democrats and Republicans alike believe he is beneficial to our district,” Wilson said. “He’s putting in the effort, and I think that’s what we need most, is someone who cares and can be bipartisan, especially in Indiana.”
Residents in cities like Gary face socioeconomic barriers due to their historical ties to the declining steel industry. At the same time, many people who work in Chicago are moving to the 1st District for economic reasons and commuting. This makes the 1st District an area with a diverse population of urban and rural residents and socioeconomic statuses; political representation in this unique district needs to be inclusive and intersectional.
The people of the 1st District deserve a representative who is willing to be a people-first leader who has a track record of bipartisan support. A new Republican-backed district map would give the U.S. House another Trump-wannabe with no backbone and no regard for hardworking Hoosiers.
“There’s no need [to redistrict] because nobody is asking for it,” Wilson said. “We’re built on this idea ‘by the people’ and every politician should be a people-first person. Now it’s all about money and power.”
It’s not surprising that the Trump administration lit the fire on this mid-decennial redistricting war in Indiana, even though the majority of Hoosiers don’t agree with the proposal. The administration’s chaotic campaign is clearly for a partisan power grab, not for benefiting Hoosiers.
Although currently a Republican stronghold, Indiana has progressive communities across the map that deserve to have a representative who votes for their interests and beliefs. Notably, the Indianapolis area — Marion County — which Kamala Harris won by over 20 points in 2024.
Senior political science major Brady Stinson, who worked for Rep. André Carson in the 7th District, highlighted the representative’s importance in the Indianapolis community.
“He is largely focused on constituent services … he’s brought millions of dollars back to his constituents,” Stinson said. “They’re certainly not straying away from trying to gerrymander Carson out of his position. I would hypothesize [Indiana Republicans] would take Marion County and crack it into nine different ways.”
Redistricting the 7th District would be extreme gerrymandering, no matter how you slice it. The district’s diversity is around 45% white and 32% Black, with 14.8% of the population identifying as Hispanic. Cracking this district into surrounding conservative-leaning, rural and predominantly white districts would give people of color — specifically Black voters — less voting power.
“Indiana has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country; we’re 50 out of 51,” Stinson said. “If your congressperson is completely gerrymandered out, you have no representation in that matter. Around 40% of Indiana voters are Democrats, and now [Republicans] are trying to cut up the two Democratic districts. I think it’s crazy.”
In the 2024 presidential election, President Donald Trump was the first Republican to win the popular vote in over 20 years; this so-called “red wave” has no intention of slowing down, even for midterms.
Sophomore political science major Andrea Ward argued this redistricting war is just the beginning for the Republican party.
“Republicans believe the direction this country is going right now is the right direction,” Ward said. “And they want to protect what they’re trying to do in the future.”
The re-election of President Trump has certainly created a shift in America’s political landscape, igniting a new movement — especially among young men — challenging the norms of modern masculinity and leadership.
During the White House meeting that included 55 Indiana Republicans, the vice president remarked that redistricting efforts have a chance to “fight and support Republicans and be real Republicans.”
And yes, Democrats are reacting by fighting fire with fire, with California Governor Gavin Newsom being the ringleader for the countermove on redistricting. Gov. Newsom’s approach differs as more constituent-centered due to the special election on Proposition 50 — where Californians vote if they want new House boundaries before the midterm elections. Not as corrupt as the havoc being raised in states like Texas and Indiana, but still not ideal.
American politicians have always played dirty, but what we’re seeing now is disheartening voters: the true job description of public servants is being set aside. Indiana, you need to listen to your constituents; we’re watching, and we vote.
