Indiana's Senate didn't have the votes, after all.
Why it matters: Indiana's contentious mid-decade redistricting fight was a test of President Trump's hold on the Republican Party.
- Trump pressured Indiana Republicans for months to pass new maps, calling out those by name who expressed doubt about the proposal and threatening consequences for those who opposed him and the state.
Driving the news: After three hours of debate, the Indiana Senate voted 31-19 against a new congressional map that would have carved up the state's two Democratic districts to give Republicans a solid advantage in all nine districts.
- 21 Republicans joined the chamber's 10 Democrats to vote against House Bill 1032, which the House passed easily last week.
Catch up quick: Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) resisted calls to bring lawmakers back to the Statehouse early for redistricting, saying his caucus didn't have the votes to pass new maps.
- When criticism over that decision — and skepticism over whether he didn't have the votes or just didn't support the measure himself — reached a fever pitch, Bray capitulated and said, "We'll vote and answer the question."
- "We finally have a resolution now," Bray, who voted against it, said after Thursday's vote, adding that the entire caucus wants to see a Republican majority in the U.S. House next year, but "there's a difference of opinion on how we get there."
Between the lines: Pressure mounted for months on Indiana to pass a new congressional map and aid Trump in his bid to maintain control of Congress, even though the party in power usually takes a hit during the midterms.
- "Every other State has done Redistricting, willingly, openly, and easily," Trump posted Wednesday on Truth Social, in a tirade against Bray. "There was never a question in their mind that contributing to a WIN in the Midterms for the Republicans was a great thing to do for our Party, and for America itself."
What they're saying: "I see no justification that outweighs the harm it would inflict upon the people's faith in the integrity of our elections and our system of government," Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) said.
- Sen. Greg Goode, a Terre Haute Republican who had been on the fence and was the target of swatting, said his constituents don't want to be drawn into a congressional district with Indianapolis and its suburbs, so he would vote against the measure.
- "My job is to best represent District 38 and the Hoosiers who call it home," Goode said. "I'm confident my vote reflects the will of my constituents."
The other side: "I am very disappointed that a small group of misguided State Senators have partnered with Democrats to reject this opportunity to protect Hoosiers with fair maps and to reject the leadership of President Trump," Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement. "Ultimately, decisions like this carry political consequences. I will be working with the President to challenge these people who do not represent the best interests of Hoosiers."
- Trump and groups supporting Republican-led redistricting have promised to pour resources into statehouse races and back primary challengers to Republicans who opposed the effort.
Reality check: Just over half of the Republican caucus voted against the bill — a margin wider than most political watchers expected.
Zoom out: Texas kicked off the partisan mid-decade redistricting competition with other states this summer.
- Including Texas, five states have redrawn their maps and others are considering doing so.
What we're watching: Braun told reporters last week that "it's not over if they don't do it."
- It's unclear what the path forward would be, though.
- Because lawmakers started the regular legislative session early, rather than coming in for a special session, Bray told reporters the issue can't come back this session.
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.
