By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Indiana politics is moving into the national spotlight as President Trump urges Hoosier Republicans to follow suit with Texas and redistrict congressional lines in hopes of picking up more congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Traditionally, redistricting coincides with the once-every-ten-year census count, but Trump has been urging Texas leaders to take up the unprecedented action.
At the same time, California Democrats are attempting to counter the efforts in Texas by attempting a similar redistricting.
Just a few weeks ago, Trump began openly urging Indiana Republicans to do the same in hopes of possibly picking up an additional Republican seat or two in Indiana, where seven of nine congressional seats are already held by Republicans.
The Indiana Republican congressional delegation voiced unanimous support for redistricting, but Gov. Mike Braun has been slow to take a stand in part because it would require calling a special legislative session to do so.
Pressure in Indiana could grow in the coming weeks if redistricting in Texas and California negates any change in the balance of power.
Brian Smith, the Democratic chair of the Second District, was blunt in his assessment when asked about the circumstances.
Trump has pushed an aggressive agenda on various policy fronts in his first eight months in office, but his approval rating in numerous national polls shows he hovers slightly above 40 percent
“Donald Trump is underwater in just about every issue, every demographic group, and they know they’re going to get wiped out next year unless they cheat,” Smith said.
News Now Warsaw reached out to State Sen. Ryan Mishler and State Rep. andCraig Snow, both of whom represent parts of Kosciusko County, to see where they stand on redistricting.
Attempts for comment from either were made on Wednesday, but neither replied in any way as of Friday morning.
Smith pointed to an unscientific online poll in Kosciusko County that showed most people do not support redistricting beyond the census schedule.
“There’s no groundswell, there’s no popular movement for this,” Smith added.
Smith was also asked about Tump’s recent threats to eliminate mail-in voting, possibly by issuing an executive order.
Smith said he thinks such a move would be illegal and unpopular.
The move by Trump comes despite a lack of any allegations concerning irregularities with mail-in voting.
In Indiana, about 6.1 percent of voters used mail-in voting, which does not include early voting done in person.
“Do we really want eighty- and ninety-year-olds to have to stand in line for hours?” Smith asked. “It defies logic to me and it’s just cruel.”
Trump’s talk of eliminating absentee voting in the miderm.
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News Now Warsaw reached out to State Sen.Ryan Mishler and Statre Rep Crais Sow on the isse on Wednesday, but never heard back.
