Facing resistance from state lawmakers, Vice President JD Vance makes his second trip to Indiana to rally support for Trump’s mid-cycle redistricting plan that could reshape House control heading into 2026.
According to three senior Republican officials familiar with internal discussions, Indiana GOP leaders have privately warned the White House that the redistricting initiative—intended to secure up to two additional congressional seats for Republicans—is at risk of stalling in the state Senate.
The cautionary message triggered a rapid response: Vance is returning to the Hoosier State for his second visit in three months to pressure lawmakers into action. “The vice president wants to come out and put the hard sell on Indiana legislative Republicans,” one Republican source told 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News.
White House Turns Up the Heat
The trip marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign to consolidate Republican power through mid-decade redistricting, following successful pushes in Texas and Missouri that could yield up to six additional GOP House seats.
In Indiana, however, the push faces procedural hesitation and political optics concerns. Governor Mike Braun, a Republican, reportedly warned White House officials that state Senate President Rodric Bray has shown little enthusiasm for the plan, “hiding behind his members” rather than rallying votes.
“The governor has consistently said he wants the legislature on board,” said one GOP insider. “But he’s also made clear that they’re not all there yet.”
To reinforce the effort, White House Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, Political Director Matt Brasseaux, and RNC Chief of Staff Michael Ambrosini are expected to arrive in Indiana on Thursday to join Vance in private meetings with state leaders. “The White House is going to take stock of the votes,” another Republican strategist said. “If people are going to say no, they’ll have to say it to their face.”
Fractures Inside Indiana GOP
Sources describe a split between House Speaker Todd Huston, who is cautiously supportive, and Senate President Bray, who is seen as reluctant to push the remap forward. Huston “isn’t driving the effort,” one official said, “but he’s also not blocking it.”
Vance’s visit follows a wave of digital ads from Club for Growth Action, a conservative super PAC, pressuring Indiana lawmakers to move quickly. The internal friction also comes amid backlash from Democrats, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who recently condemned the remap effort as “an embarrassment to democracy.”
Political Reverberations Beyond Indiana
The Indiana fight highlights the broader national stakes of Trump’s redistricting offensive, which aims to reshape the House map in favor of Republicans before the next election cycle.
Democrats, meanwhile, are mounting a counter-effort in California, where voters will soon decide on Governor Gavin Newsom’s redistricting ballot proposal—a move that could offset Republican gains in red states.
“Any delay in Indiana matters,” said one veteran GOP strategist. “Every seat counts when your majority is razor-thin.”
The political intensity has only grown since the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a vocal backer of the redistricting push. “They killed Charlie Kirk — the least we can do is go through a legal process and redistrict Indiana into a nine-to-zero map,” said Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN), underscoring the ideological fervor behind the effort.
Vance’s Second Trip: A Make-or-Break Moment
Vance’s reappearance in Indiana signals the White House’s mounting urgency. His visit comes just weeks after his August trip, when he privately met with Senate Republicans to rally votes.
For the Trump-Vance administration, success in Indiana could bolster Republican confidence heading into 2026. Failure could signal vulnerabilities in the party’s effort to lock in long-term legislative control.
As one senior GOP aide told 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' News:
“This isn’t just about Indiana—it’s about whether Trump’s political machine can still move state legislatures the way it used to.”
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-- By Bronwyn A. Stone
Lakisha Brown contributed to this report.
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