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.

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