Trump vows to help primary anti-redistricting Indiana Republicans
Former President Donald Trump criticized Indiana Senate Republican leader Rodric Bray and pledged to support primary challengers against Republicans who opposed a GOP-favorable redistricting bill. The Indiana Senate recently rejected a mid-decade redistricting proposal that would have created two additional Republican-leaning congressional districts, ensuring GOP control of all nine districts in the state.Trump expressed disappointment over the failure, calling Bray a “loser” and saying those who voted against the redistricting should be “primaried” with his assistance. Indiana Governor Mike Braun echoed Trump’s stance, promising to work with him to challenge lawmakers who blocked the bill, arguing they betrayed GOP interests and the voters. Bray faces a primary election in 2028 amid the growing intra-party unrest.
Trump lashes out at ‘loser’ Rod Bray, vows to help primary anti-redistricting Indiana Republicans
President Donald Trump once again attacked the Indiana Senate Republican leader after the state body voted down a mid-decade redistricting bill.
In a Truth Social message posted early Saturday, Trump vowed to primary Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray and other Republicans who opposed the GOP-friendly congressional map.
“Republicans in the Indiana State Senate, who voted against a Majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be ashamed of themselves,” he wrote. “Headed by a total loser named Rod Bray, every one of these people should be ‘primaried,’ and I will be there to help! Indiana, which I won big, is the only state in the Union to do this!”
Trump previously indicated he would help primary anti-redistricting Indiana Republicans if the new map didn’t pass. Out of 40 Republicans, 21 joined all 10 Democrats in the state’s 50-seat upper chamber in rejecting the measure on Thursday.
The map would have created two more GOP-leaning House seats in Indiana, so that Republicans would have had an advantage in all nine congressional districts. Reps. Andre Carson (D-IN) and Frank Mrvan (D-IN) are the two sole Democrats in the state’s congressional delegation.
Trump was disappointed by the outcome of the vote after the White House pressured Indiana Republicans in the state legislature to get behind his nationwide redistricting push. The Indiana House supported the bill last week before the Indiana Senate struck it down.
The president insisted he “wasn’t very much involved” in the redistricting pressure campaign while again taking aim at Bray.
“You had one gentleman, the head of the Senate, I guess, Bray, whatever his name is. I heard he was against it,” Trump said. “He’ll probably lose his next primary, whenever that is. I hope he does, because he’s done a tremendous disservice.”
He added anyone who wants to challenge Bray in an upcoming primary would receive his support.
Bray is next up for a primary reelection in May 2028.
INDIANA GOVERNOR VOWS TO PRIMARY REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST REDISTRICTING — BUT IT WON’T BE EASY
Siding with Trump on the redistricting issue, Gov. Mike Braun (R-IN) intends to work with the president on helping primary state lawmakers who cost the Republican Party two more House seats.
“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,” Braun wrote on X after Thursday’s vote. “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.”
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