Angry Democrats respond with a firestorm of criticism
Indpls. – Governor Mike Braun announced today he will ask Indiana’s state legislators to attend a November 3rd special session of the General Assembly to consider congressional redistricting.
“I am calling a special legislative session to protect Hoosiers from efforts in other states that seek to diminish their voice in Washington and ensure their representation in Congress is fair. I am also asking the legislature to conform Indiana’s tax code with new federal tax provisions to ensure stability and certainty for taxpayers and tax preparers for 2026 filings,” Governor Braun announced.
Gov. Braun set the session length to continue for 30 days but not more than forty days from the date of commencement.
The special session announcement drew a firestorm of criticism from Indiana Democrats and U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan Jr (IN-01), whose congressional seat is targeted in the redistricting.
“If the General Assembly moves forward with this partisan plan, I will continue to be a fighter for fairness, working with Republicans and Democrats alike to defend the voices of working families. I believe that representation should be earned through ideas and service, not political manipulation,” Mrvan said.
“My record of working cooperatively to create work and wealth for Indiana families will not be deterred. I will continue to fight for working families, expand economic opportunity, protect access to health care, support public safety, stand with our friends in organized labor, strengthen our farms and invest in our shared future. I am focused on getting results, not playing politics,” Mrvan said.
“This is not democracy. This is desperation,” Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington) said about Indiana joining the list of states that are doing mid-decade redistricting at the request of President Trump.
“Governor Braun’s announcement confirms what we have feared all along. Indiana’s government has been hijacked by national operatives willing to shred every democratic norm to serve one man — Donald Trump,” Yoder said.
Congressional redistricting is normally held every 10 years, following the U.S. Census at the beginning of a decade. President Trump claimed he needed the mid-decade redistricting to protect his party’s majority in the U.S. House.
Currently, Indiana has 9 congressional districts; seven are held by Republican Party members. Targeted along with U.S. Rep. Mrvan, from northwest Indiana in the 1st Congressional District is U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, a Democrat in the 7th Congressional District in Indianapolis.
“Polling after polling. Event after event. Conversation after conversation. Hoosiers of all parties have made it clear they do not want this. The people said no — loudly, clearly and repeatedly,” Yoder said. “It has taken months of backroom deals, arm twisting and out of state threats against Hoosiers just to get this far. And even then, they had to fold to national bullies to do it. That is not leadership. That is cowardice.”
State Senator Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) condemned the move as a blatant act of political self-interest at the expense of Hoosiers.
Qaddoura emphasized that the upcoming session is not about addressing the real challenges Hoosiers face but about consolidating political power.
“This illegitimate session is not about fixing your utility bills, expanding access to health care or reversing cuts to child care assistance,” Qaddoura said. “It’s about rigging congressional maps to ensure President Trump and the Republican Party maintain control. This is a ploy to silence voters and eliminate opposition.”
Story Posted:10/27/2025
