WARSAW — Gov. Mike Braun defended Republicans’ renewed effort to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts Wednesday, saying the new map is needed to create competitive districts despite criticism from opponents.

Braun spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony in Warsaw, marking his first public comments since state legislators resumed efforts to redraw congressional districts that could eliminate Indiana’s only two Democratic-held seats.

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[caption id="attachment_123707" align="aligncenter" width="670"] Here is how the existing congressional map (Left) compares to what House Republicans proposed earlier this week.[/caption]

Braun said the new map would level the national political landscape.

The new map is under consideration in the House after passing out of committee. If it passes in the House, it faces a tougher road in the Senate, WNDU reported.

A proposal touted by Indiana’s House Republicans would drastically change each district from the existing congressional lines that are much more compact.

“I know it upsets some people because it’s between a census and the last one, but if you want to be competitive, you got to do it,” Braun told WNDU. “And the House had the votes and was going to be held up by the Senate. When I saw the Senate purposely trying to do it behind closed doors, dragging their feet, especially when all the senators were becoming public for it, that’s why we needed to get to where we are.”

Meanwhile,  Republican state Sen. Kyle Walker announced he won’t seek reelection next year, making him another opponent of the proposed GOP-redraw of Indiana’s congressional maps who will be leaving the Legislature, Indiana Capital Chronicle reported on Wednesday.

Walker is among about a dozen Republican senators to publicly oppose redistricting.

Walker’s statement did not mention the congressional redistricting that’s been demanded by President Donald Trump, who has berated several Republican state senators who’ve come out against the redraw.

The House is expected to soon vote on the plan, and state senators are expected to consider it next week.

Braun's visit was listed on his online schedule, but it was not widely announced to the media.

The post Braun defends redistricting plan while in Warsaw for groundbreaking appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

The following story was written by Niki Kelly, Casey Smith and Leslie Bonilla Muniz.

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun on Friday condemned a wave of threats against state lawmakers — including ones he said targeted him and his family — shortly after Republican Sen. Andy Zay confirmed a bomb threat at his Huntington vehicle rental business.

Sen. Linda Rogers revealed on Friday that she’s also been a “victim of several intimidation incidents.”

The threats came amid a week of swatting attempts and other harassment aimed at Senate Republicans.

“Enough is enough,” the governor said in a Friday afternoon post on X. “These threats to lawmakers, including those received by me and my family in recent days, need to stop.”

Braun said Indiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been working “around the clock all week” to protect lawmakers and investigate the string of incidents.

The governor’s office said state police are investigating more than one “credible” threat made against the governor but did not provide details about the nature of those threats.

“Rest assured — if you threaten or attempt to carry out acts of violence against Indiana’s elected officials, we WILL bring you to justice,” Braun wrote.

Zay’s business targeted

Hours before Braun’s announcement, Zay shared about his experience.

“Yesterday, my business in Huntington was targeted with a bomb threat, which is part of the recent troubling pattern against lawmakers in Indiana,” Zay said in a news release.

“It’s unfortunate that my family and I continue to be threatened for my work as a public servant and state senator,” he added. “This is no way to weigh in on any public issue, even if you do not agree with my stance. My office is always open, and I encourage constituents with any concerns to reach out.”

Zay is supportive of a controversial proposal to redistrict Indiana’s congressional boundaries — and make Indiana’s two blue districts red — ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

“Sometimes you’re not ‘yes’ enough for some of our friends on the right, and when you get this mob mentality going, you know, it’s a little challenging,” Zay told the Capital Chronicle.

He said he has been quietly working behind the scenes with the Trump administration to move redistricting forward.

Zay pushed for an aggressive marketing campaign to explain why the new map is needed to the public. He said the pressure and influence needed to come more from constituents.

“Obviously, the administration has chosen an entirely different tactic, which I don’t agree with, which has kind of turned into this, this ugly, threatening, demeaning, bashing thing. I’m not surprised. It’s certainly not uncharacteristic of the administration, but I think we all would have been better served to have a stronger groundswell of support to bring it to a vote.”

Zay said he is hopeful that vote can still happen.

Other senators receive threats

Another Republican senator, Linda Rogers of Granger, said Friday she’s also been targeted. Rogers has not said publicly where she stands on redistricting.

“I can confirm I have been the victim of several intimidation incidents, but the St. Joseph County Police Department and the Indiana State Police are working diligently to get to the bottom of it,” Rogers said in a statement.

She commended both agencies for their “timely response and assistance,” but said she would not provide further details while the investigation continues.

Earlier, fellow Republican Sen. Kyle Walker of Lawrence said Thursday that “attempts have been made to intimidate me and threaten violence at my home.” A spokesperson clarified Friday that it was a bomb threat. Walker is against early redistricting.

Four other GOP senators, all of whom oppose redistricting or are undecided, have been targeted in attempted swattings this week.

“Swatting” involves hoax calls or reports to emergency services intended to trigger armed responses — and can have lethal consequences for unwitting victims at the swatted location.

The spate of harassment prompted bipartisan condemnation from leaders in the Indiana House.

House Speaker Todd Huston and House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta denounced the threats in a joint Friday statement.

“The threats, swatting attempts and other criminal activity being directed at our colleagues in the Senate are abhorrent and completely unacceptable. This is no way to express political disagreement, and it must stop,” the duo said.

“We thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for responding to and investigating these crimes, and for keeping our elected officials and their families safe,” they continued. “This is incredibly harmful to those being directly impacted and to our entire state. We’re praying for our colleagues, their families and neighbors, and our law enforcement partners. We hope to see swift justice for anyone responsible for these crimes.”

Zay also thanked police and said he’s “hopeful that state and local law enforcement will be able to find those responsible and hold them accountable for their actions.”

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The Indiana Capital Chronicle is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to giving Hoosiers a comprehensive look inside state government, policy and elections. The site combines daily coverage with in-depth scrutiny, political awareness and insightful commentary.

You can read the original version of the story here.

The post As threats escalate against Indiana lawmakers, Braun says his family also targeted appeared first on News Now Warsaw.