Indiana Senator Sparks GOP Outrage After Refusing to Back Trump’s Redistricting Plan Meant to Secure Republican Control Ahead of 2026
In a move that has sent shockwaves through Indiana’s Republican circles, State Senator Spencer Deery publicly announced that he will not support efforts to redraw congressional maps in favor of the GOP ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — a position that puts him squarely at odds with President Trump, Governor Mike Braun, and party leadership.
Deery, a first-term senator representing West Lafayette, made his stance clear during an October 23, 2025 interview, stating that he could not support redistricting designed purely for political gain. “If we are to conserve these values, they must be universal,” he said. “We cannot pick and choose when we live them and when we set them aside for political expediency.”
His comments immediately drew criticism from party loyalists and pro-Trump activists who have been calling for an aggressive redistricting strategy to secure at least eight of Indiana’s nine congressional seats. Currently, Republicans hold a 7-2 advantage — a margin that Trump and Braun reportedly view as underperforming in a deep-red state.
Sources close to Trump confirm that the former president met privately with several Indiana lawmakers at Mar-a-Lago in August, urging them to “get serious” about securing congressional dominance before 2026. The strategy, according to campaign insiders, is part of a nationwide push to counter what they describe as “Democrat-led gerrymandering” in states like New York and Illinois.
While many state legislators have expressed support for the move, Deery’s defiance has made him an unexpected focal point in an increasingly polarized debate. His refusal to back Trump’s plan is being labeled by some as a “betrayal” of conservative priorities, with critics arguing that his moral reasoning comes at the expense of Republican victories. One activist wrote on social media, “We don’t need virtue signaling — we need wins.”
Governor Mike Braun, who has been working closely with Trump on aligning state strategies with national Republican objectives, has not publicly rebuked Deery but made it clear that “the party must stay united if it wants to preserve the values that make Indiana strong.” Behind closed doors, aides say Braun’s team is frustrated by the senator’s comments, fearing they could embolden other moderates to break ranks.
The redistricting plan, expected to be introduced in a special legislative session in November, aims to consolidate Republican support in key districts, especially around Indianapolis and the state’s northern corridor. The goal, according to drafts reviewed by GOP insiders, would be to shift two marginal Democratic districts safely into Republican control — ensuring that Trump’s influence remains entrenched in Indiana’s congressional map through the decade.
Deery, however, insists his opposition is based on principle, not partisanship. “If we claim to stand for fairness and integrity, we can’t abandon those values when they inconvenience us,” he said. Still, his comments have fueled tensions within the party, where many believe moral purism is no substitute for political power.
As Trump’s team ramps up pressure, the divide in Indiana underscores a broader challenge facing the GOP — balancing ideological conviction with the raw political calculus of modern electoral strategy. With Trump’s name once again dominating ballots and Republicans gearing up for one of the most consequential midterms in decades, even a single holdout like Deery is being cast as a symbol of dissent in a movement that prizes loyalty above all.
In Indiana, where Trump remains overwhelmingly popular, the backlash could be swift. Party insiders warn that Deery may face a primary challenge if he continues to resist the president’s agenda. For now, however, he remains unshaken, telling reporters that “conservatism without integrity is not conservatism at all.”
Whether his words resonate with voters — or mark the beginning of the end for his political career — will become clear as Trump’s allies move to finalize Indiana’s new congressional map.
