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President Donald Trump said Thursday he expects Indiana Senate Republican Leader Rodric Bray to lose his next primary after the state Senate voted down a congressional redistricting plan that would have strengthened GOP control of the state’s U.S. House seats.
“I heard he was against it,” President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“He’ll probably lose his next primary whenever that is,” the president said. “I hope he does because he’s done a tremendous disservice.”
Bray, first elected to the Senate in 2012, has served as its leader since 2018. He is up for reelection in 2028.
The Indiana Senate rejected the proposed map in a 31 to 19 vote despite Republicans holding a 40 to 10 majority. The plan, approved by the Indiana House last week, was projected to give Republicans a 9-0 sweep of the state’s House seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The proposal would have reshaped both Democratic-held districts, including dividing Indianapolis into four districts.
Gov. Mike Braun sharply criticized the Republicans who voted against the measure and said he would support primary challengers.
“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 said. “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.”
Redistricting usually takes place every 10 years to reflect new census data, though several states have redrawn maps outside the traditional cycle.
Texas approved a new map last summer aimed at helping Republicans pick up additional seats in the closely divided U.S. House. California voters backed a plan projected to give Democrats five more seats. Other states, including Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, have also pursued redistricting efforts favorable to Republicans.
In Maryland and Virginia, Democratic-led legislatures have recently opened discussions on potential new congressional boundaries.
