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In a dramatic action, Indiana Republicans voted down a measure to redistrict the state's congressional map on Thursday afternoon. This outcome marks a clear rebuke of Donald Trump and broader national campaigns to alter electoral maps to favor GOP office-seekers.

The Roll Call

The measure failed by a count of 19 to 31. A notable group of 21 GOP senators sided with 10 Democrats to defeat the new redistricting plan.

Currently, GOP representatives hold seven of Indiana's nine congressional districts. The rejected redistricting scheme was crafted to create GOP-leaning electorates in every single one of the congressional seats. This was intended to be achieved through several key changes:

• Splitting the liberal base of the state capital into four different congressional areas.
• Attaching slices of Indianapolis voters to adjacent heavily GOP regions.
• Breaking up the north-western congressional district, presently represented by Democrat Frank Mrvan, into two separate districts.

Defecting Senator

State Sen. Greg Goode, a key GOP 'no' vote, opposed the redistricting bill. In a lengthy floor speech, he stated that his vote represented the wishes of his voters.

"I am a Christian first and foremost, then an American, then a conservative thinker, then a Republican – in that priority," he stated. "I am convinced that my vote reflects the desire of my district."

Broader Battle

This effort in the Hoosier State took place amid a country-wide drive by former President Trump to influence the redrawing of district lines to secure more GOP seats before next year’s midterms. The GOP presently maintain a narrow lead in the House and are broadly projected to lose ground in the upcoming vote.

In other states, GOP lawmakers in the Lone Star State, North Carolina, and Missouri have each redrawn maps to benefit their side. Meanwhile, Democrats have retaliated by redrawing districts in places such as the Golden State to possibly add several Democratic seats. Democrats in the Commonwealth of Virginia are also positioned to redraw their maps for party gain.

Intense Pressure

The former president undertook a bare-knuckled effort to lobby Indiana Republicans to approve the map. Vice President JD Vance allegedly traveled to the Indiana Statehouse on several occasions to confer with lawmakers.

In a message on his social media platform, the former president expressed his frustration on Wednesday. "Every other state has done redistricting, readily, transparently, and without issue. There was never a question in their minds that contributing to a victory in the midterms for the Republicans was a great move to do for our Party, and for America itself," he posted. "Sadly, Indiana's Senate “Leader” Rod Bray enjoys being the sole individual in the United States of America who is opposed to the GOP picking up additional seats, in Indiana's case, two of them."

Hostile Climate

In the lead-up to the vote, some Indiana GOP senators allegedly were subjected to death threats and swatting attempts. Additionally, VP J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. openly attacked Senate Leader Rod Bray (R) ahead of the Thursday vote.

Heritage Action, the activist branch of the right-leaning think tank, also issued a statement, claiming on Thursday that the state would forfeit federal funding if it failed to pass the redistricting plan. Their post implied that key infrastructure initiatives and services would be halted.