Indiana Governor Weighs Special Session Amid Trump's Push for 9-0 Congressional Map

Indianapolis, IN – Indiana Governor Mike Braun is actively considering calling a special legislative session in November to redraw the state's congressional districts, a move that comes amidst intense pressure from former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The initiative aims to transform Indiana's current 7-2 Republican congressional delegation into a 9-0 sweep, a key part of a broader national strategy to secure a Republican supermajority in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, publicly criticized the effort, stating in a recent tweet:> "The President is getting involved after in-person pleading by the VP still couldn’t get these Indiana legislators to execute Trump’s gerrymandering plan. They’ve held off because they know it’s wrong - and because our pressure is working. So let’s keep it up!"The push for mid-decade redistricting, an unusual process typically reserved for post-census years, has seen significant high-level engagement. Vice President Vance has made multiple visits to Indiana, meeting with Governor Braun and state legislative leaders since August, while President Trump has reportedly contacted Indiana lawmakers directly to advocate for the plan. Governor Braun has indicated that while he wants the decision to be "organic" among legislators, he has warned of "consequences" for the state if it resists cooperation with the Trump administration.Despite the pressure, some Indiana Republican lawmakers remain divided on the issue, with several expressing reluctance to redraw maps outside the decennial cycle. Polls conducted in October 2025 reveal that mid-decade redistricting is broadly unpopular among Hoosier voters, including a significant portion of Republicans. Advocacy groups have also rallied against the proposal, citing concerns about voter disenfranchisement and partisan gerrymandering.Should a special session be called, the Republican-controlled legislature would likely target the 1st Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Frank Mrvan, and potentially the 7th Congressional District in Indianapolis. The deadline for filing for the 2026 congressional primaries is in February, creating a narrow window for any potential map changes to be enacted.