Indiana GOP Meets with Trump Administration Amid Redistricting Efforts

Statehouse Democrats believe a meeting between Indiana Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials is a precursor to a redistricting session, which they fear could lead to manipulation of Congressional district maps for political gain. The Republican lawmakers traveled to Washington D.C. on Tuesday morning for the meeting.

"The (Congressional district) maps were good five years ago," said Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis. "What has changed? Greed. Manipulation. Self-serving has changed."

Rep. Porter's concerns are echoed by others who believe that any attempt to redraw districts could lead to legal challenges and undermine representation.

The process of redistricting typically takes place after each census, using data to determine representation. However, President Donald Trump has been pressuring Republican-led state legislatures to redraw their Congressional maps ahead of next year's midterm elections in an effort to give Republicans more seats.

Indiana is one of the states where redistricting efforts are underway. Two of Indiana's nine Congressional districts are currently held by Democrats: the 1st District in northwest Indiana and the 7th District, which covers the northern two-thirds of Marion County. Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis, warned that any attempt to redraw these districts could lead to legal action.

"I don't see that Republicans will be able to get nine Republican districts without carving up the minority vote in the minority districts," she said. "And that, to me, is just absolutely shameful and morally corrupt, quite frankly."

Gov. Mike Braun has the power to call a special session to redraw the maps, but he has repeatedly said he would not do so unless the Republican legislative caucus favors it.