Republicans Defy Trump in Indiana, Killing Mid-Decade Redistricting Plan
INDIANAPOLIS — In a rare political rebuke, Republican lawmakers in Indiana voted against a congressional redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump — a development that signals both internal GOP dissent and weakening loyalty among Trump’s base heading into the 2026 midterms.
The Indiana Senate on Thursday rejected the proposed redistricting map by a 31–19 vote, with more than half of Republican senators joining Democrats to block a plan that would have given Republicans control of all nine U.S. House seats in the state. Trump and his allies had lobbied heavily for the measure, including visits by Vice President J.D. Vance and political pressure from conservative groups.
Lawmakers opposing the proposal cited concerns about federal overreach, fairness, and political backlash, underlining a growing reluctance among some Republicans to follow Trump’s lead, even in a deeply red state.
At the same time, national polling data shows a decline in strong approval for Trump among his own 2024 voters. According to data analyst Harry Enten, the share of Trump supporters who say they strongly approve of him has dropped significantly since March — a potential red flag for Republican cohesion ahead of 2026. While Trump retains overall GOP approval, the intensity of support appears lower than earlier in his presidency.
The combined developments — a failed redistricting push and slipping fervor among core voters — point to broader challenges for GOP strategy as the next midterm elections approach.
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