Gary’s political representation is safe for now after Indiana lawmakers shelved a proposal to redraw the state’s congressional maps, a change that could have reshaped Northwest Indiana’s Democratic-leaning 1st District.
Senate Republicans backed away from the plan last week despite months of pressure from the president, vice president and, more recently, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said the caucus lacked the votes to pursue a midcycle map overhaul and would not return to the Statehouse in December.
“Over the last several months, Senate Republicans have given very serious and thoughtful consideration to the concept of redrawing our state’s congressional maps,” Bray said in a statement released Friday. “Today, I’m announcing there are not enough votes to move that idea forward, and the Senate will not reconvene in December.”
The announcement drew quick reaction from Democrats representing Northwest Indiana.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, who represents one of the state’s two Democratic congressional seats and whose district was widely viewed as an early redistricting target, called the decision unsurprising and pointed to the care taken during the last redistricting cycle.
“[The] announcement should not come as a surprise to any Hoosier,” he said. “As a lifelong resident of Northwest Indiana, and as someone whose father proudly served in the Indiana State Senate, we can all appreciate the thoughtful and deliberate work that went into the 2022 redistricting process.”
The pressure campaign for the midcycle map change began in the summer when, at the behest of President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for a special session to redraw that state’s congressional districts to net Republicans up to five additional seats in Congress.
Texas House Democrats fled the state in efforts to avoid a vote, and later stood with Indiana House Democrats in August in a joint press conference to raise awareness of what they framed as the president’s attempt to steal Congress.
The White House became deeply involved, pressing Indiana Senate Republicans throughout the summer. Members of the caucus traveled to Washington for meetings, and Vice President JD Vance made two trips to Indianapolis as part of the effort.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, over the weekend to address Indiana’s decision.
Democrat state legislators responded to the news by looking forward to the 2026 regular session, which officially begins with Organization Day on Monday and kicks off at the Statehouse on Jan. 13.
“We in the [Indiana Black Legislative Caucus] are looking forward to focusing our efforts on our 2026 legislative agenda, which will focus on lowering the cost of living and giving every Hoosier a fair shot at economic security,” said state Rep. and IBLC Chairman Earl Harris Jr.
“With this announcement behind us, I want to turn our focus and energy toward the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session, which begins ceremonially this Tuesday,” said state Sen. Rodney Pol Jr., who recently served as staff attorney for the city of Gary.
“There is real work ahead focusing on everyday Hoosiers’ issues of rising utility bills and increasing costs of living,” Pol said.
Over the past two decades, redistricting has sharply reshaped Indiana’s political landscape, both in Congress and at the Statehouse.
After the 2000 census, Democrats controlled the Indiana House with a 52–46 edge. By 2010, that advantage had flipped entirely: Republicans held a 59–40 majority.
Their dominance has only widened since, with the GOP now occupying 71 of the chamber’s 100 seats.
Indiana’s congressional map has shifted just as dramatically. In 2008, Democrats held five of the state’s nine U.S. House seats; today, they’re down to just two.