Indiana Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour, listens during the start of the General Assembly session at the Statehouse, Jan. 3, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Indiana has become the fourth Republican-controlled state to give in to President Donald Trump’s demands for illegal redistricting, with several members of the state legislature changing their stance on the issue after White House coercion.

After months of pressure from Trump and the White House, Gov. Mike Braun (R) officially called a special session for next month to address the redistricting issue and further gerrymander Indiana in favor of Republicans. The GOP currently controls seven of Indiana’s nine congressional seats.

The following Republican legislators have altered their stance on the issue in wake of pressure from the Trump administration and states like Texas, Missouri and Ohio redrawing their own maps.

Rep. Craig Haggard

Photo via Indiana Statehouse

 

State Rep. Craig Haggard (R-Mooresville) was initially hesitant on redistricting, expressing concern that his voters would not be in favor. Haggard — who is running for the U.S. House in 2026 — changed his stance after the White House began pressuring Indiana Republicans in August. 

Haggard also met with Vice President JD Vance on Aug. 26, a meeting he described as a “good back and forth.”

“It was not a hard press, it wasn’t threats; it was, ‘This is why we believe it’s important,’” Haggard told IndyStar.

Rep. Jim Lucas

Photo via Indiana Statehouse

 

In August, State Rep. Jim Lucas (R-Seymour) made a Facebook post explaining why he was a “HARD NO” on Indiana’s redistricting effort. The seven-term lawmaker described the plan as “highly unusual and politically optically horrible,” and he argued that redistricting mid-decade would set a “dangerous precedent.”

One month later, Lucas made a post completely reversing his position to a “hell yes,” with a follow-up post last week where he said a visit to the White House and a firsthand experience of America’s health care system helped change his mind. Lucas said he heard from many of Trump’s top advisors and that there were “no threats or coercion” but “plans, commitment and optimistic hope.”

Rep. Heath VanNatter

Photo via Indiana Statehouse

 

After Lucas’ reversal, Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) publicly criticized his colleague’s turnaround in a Facebook comment.

VanNatter: “I knew you would fold. Maybe you should keep your powder dry next time.”

…

Lucas: “I stand by that. That’s how I felt at the time and I’ve explained myself. So what’s your point?”

VanNatter: “’felt?’ I thought you used logic & reason to make legislative decisions, not feelings?”

Although VanNatter has not made his public stance on redistricting known yet, he told IndyStar that he is leaning towards supporting the effort.

VanNatter has not responded to Heartland Signal’s request to clarify his redistricting stance.

Sen. Ron Alting

Photo via Indiana Statehouse

 

After months of silence on the issue, state Sen. Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) said the ongoing government shutdown “convinced” him to support Indiana’s redistricting.

Republicans have full control of the U.S. House and Senate and have refused to reopen the government with the goal of letting Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expire. Nonpartisan research suggests that health insurance premiums will experience a median increase of as much as 18% and significantly increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers.

Opposition to Redistricting

All Democrats in the Indiana General Assembly are resisting the attempt to redistrict, which would likely eliminate one or both of the congressional seats held by Democrats in the state.

In a press release, Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) condemned Braun’s special session as a desperate attempt to serve Trump at the expense of taxpayers.

“At a time when families are struggling with housing costs, child care shortages, rising health care premiums, utility bills and the crushing cost of living, every taxpayer cent wasted on this illegitimate session is an insult. It is infuriating,” Yoder said. “It is disgusting. And it shows exactly how little they care about the people they were elected to serve and how far they will go to grab even more unchecked power.  They could have chosen to govern. They could have chosen to lead. Instead, they chose to cheat. To weaponize our statehouse for a power grab nobody asked for and everybody sees straight through.” 

A recent poll conducted by North Star Opinion Research found that 53% of registered voters in Indiana do not support the Republican gerrymandering scheme.

The GOP holds significant majorities in both chambers of Indiana’s legislature. On Monday, a GOP spokesperson suggested that the Indiana House of Representatives has enough Republicans on board to pass a new map. The state Senate is where the new map will be decided.

All 10 Democrats will likely not support a new map, and the GOP can afford 15 members to vote “no” and still move forward. The four Republican state senators below have firmly voiced opposition to redistricting, with several still undecided.