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In a dramatic action, Hoosier State Republicans defeated a proposal to redistrict the state's congressional district boundaries on Thursday afternoon. This outcome marks a clear rebuke of Donald Trump and broader GOP-led attempts to alter voting districts to advantage GOP office-seekers.

The Vote

The bill was defeated by a vote of 19 to 31. A notable bloc of twenty-one Republican lawmakers sided with 10 Democrats to reject the controversial district maps.

Currently, GOP representatives hold 7 of Indiana's 9 congressional districts. The rejected plan was designed to favor Republican-leaning electorates in every single one of the House districts. This aimed to be accomplished through several major maneuvers:

• Carving up the Democratic stronghold of the state capital into four separate districts.
• Attaching portions of the city's voters to nearby heavily Republican districts.
• Breaking up the north-western congressional district, currently represented by Frank Mrvan, into two new areas.

Key Holdout

State Senator Greg Goode (R), a crucial GOP defector, rejected the redistricting bill. In a extended floor speech, he stated that his vote reflected the desires of his district.

"I'm a Christian first and foremost, then an American, then a conservative thinker, then a member of the GOP – in that sequence," he said. "I'm convinced that my decision reflects the desire of my constituents."

Wider Gerrymandering Fight

This push in the Hoosier State occurred amid a country-wide drive by Donald Trump to pressure the redrawing of district lines to add more GOP seats ahead of next year's midterms. Republicans presently hold a very slim lead in the House and are widely anticipated to shed seats in the upcoming vote.

In other states, GOP lawmakers in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri have all redrawn maps to benefit their side. At the same time, Democratic legislators have responded by redrawing maps in states like California to possibly gain several Democratic seats. Democrats in Virginia are also positioned to redraw maps for Democratic gain.

High-Stakes Lobbying

The former president waged a bare-knuckled push to lobby Hoosier GOP lawmakers to approve the map. Vice-president J.D. Vance reportedly visited the state capitol on several occasions to lobby lawmakers.

In a message on his Truth Social, the former president expressed his displeasure on Wednesday. "Every other state has done Redistricting, readily, openly, and easily. There was no doubt in their minds that contributing to a WIN in the Midterms for the Republican Party was a positive thing to do for our party, and for America itself," he wrote. "Sadly, Indiana Senate “Leader” Rod Bray seems to enjoy being the sole individual in the United States who is against Republicans gaining extra seats, in Indiana's instance, 2 of them."

Pressure Tactics

In the days to the vote, Indiana GOP senators reportedly received threats of violence and swatting attempts. Additionally, Vice President J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. openly attacked Senator Rod Bray ahead of the Thursday vote.

The advocacy group Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the right-leaning think tank, also issued a statement, claiming on the day of the vote that the state of Indiana would forfeit congressional funds if it did not pass the map. Their message warned that key infrastructure initiatives and services would be jeopardized.