Indiana Redistricting Effort Faces Internal GOP Resistance from Five Senators

Five Indiana Republican State Senators, including Rick Niemeyer, Greg Goode, Brian Buchanan, Blake Doriot, and Dan Dernulc, have been publicly accused of "sabotaging" efforts to redraw the state's congressional maps. The accusation, originating from a social media post by "Publius," labels these lawmakers as "RINO traitors" for their perceived obstruction of a mid-decade redistricting push. The tweet explicitly provided contact information for the senators, urging public outreach.

The controversy centers on a push by some within the Republican party, including former President Donald Trump and his allies, to reconvene the Indiana General Assembly for a special session to redraw congressional districts. Proponents argue this move is necessary to strengthen the GOP's position ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, citing efforts by Democratic-controlled states to gerrymander their own maps. However, the Indiana Senate currently lacks the necessary votes to pass such a measure.

While the social media post definitively accuses the five senators of obstruction, their public stances on the redistricting effort vary. According to reports, Senators Niemeyer, Goode, Doriot, and Dernulc have indicated they are either undecided or have not publicly committed to supporting the mid-decade redistricting. Senator Buchanan's position has not been publicly stated, contributing to the uncertainty within the caucus.

The internal division highlights a broader debate within the Republican party regarding the timing and necessity of redrawing maps outside of the decennial census cycle. Critics of the mid-decade effort, including some Republican senators, have raised concerns about the cost of a special session and the precedent of altering maps so soon after the last redistricting cycle. The situation underscores the pressures lawmakers face from various factions within their own party.