Washington, D.C. — Governor Mike Braun (R-IN) is warning that the White House is threatening federal funding for Indiana if Republicans don’t follow their orders to gerrymander. It’s blackmail in broad daylight. This marks a dangerous escalation in pressure tactics from the White House, which started with Vice President Vance using American taxpayer dollars to fly himself out to the Hoosier State to meet with Gov. Braun and Republican legislative leadership.

“If we try to drag our feet as a state on it, probably, we’ll have consequences of not working with the Trump administration as tightly as we should,” Gov. Braun said on September 15 to WOWO, an Indiana talk radio station, seemingly issuing a cry for help.

The next day, during an interview with WPTA, a Fort Wayne television station, Braun elaborated on the “consequences” that might be in store if Indiana Republicans don’t follow orders from Washington:

“That just means I think the Trump administration, for what it’s trying to do, if you’re not kind of getting involved as well as you can on the political side, you probably are not going to be the first call when it comes to the benefits of — just like we’re one of 5 states now — as the agriculture department moves its bureaucracy into the interior; we’re one of those 5 states.”

But Gov. Braun knows the Hoosier way. “…I think, it’s a Hoosier mentality, just kind of stick with the rules, don’t do things out of the norm,” Braun said. He’s right. Polls show that most Hoosiers want their leaders to stick to the rules and stand up for their values, and oppose a mid-decade gerrymander. 

That’s why Indiana Republicans are visibly ashamed of what they are strongly considering: ignoring their own constituents to follow orders from Washington politicians and special interests. As a columnist for the Indiana Business Journal wrote on September 19, during his interview with Senate President Pro Tem Rod Bray, Bray “recoiled like he wanted to curl up in a ball” when he was asked about redistricting.

Republican lawmakers have said themselves that they don’t see any good reason to draw a mid-decade gerrymander. Here’s a sample of what they’ve said:

“I have been hearing from constituents and I do not believe at this time there is an appetite for redistricting in our communities.” —  Rep. Craig Haggard (R-HD 57)

“Just a few years ago, our General Assembly undertook the complex redistricting process based on up-to-date census data, drawing fair maps that ensure every Hoosier vote counts. We should stand by that work.” — Rep. David Lopez (R-HD 39)

“I do not support redistricting and do not know of any reason why Indiana should redistrict.” — Rep. Becky Cash (R-HD 25)

“Under no circumstances will I vote for a new map. Special sessions should be reserved for emergencies. The president’s desperation to maintain a U.S. House majority by stacking the deck in favor of Republicans does not constitute an emergency.” — Rep. Ed Clere (R-HD 72)

Gov. Braun has not yet called for a special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional map. But, he’s making it clear that if he does, it’s not because Hoosiers are asking for it. It’s because Indiana Republicans are caving to Washington’s mob-like threats at the expense of their own constituents. 

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