Indiana Senators overwhelmingly vote down a Trump-backed redistricting plan

In a huge vote Thursday afternoon, Indiana's Republican-led Senate rejected a redrawn congressional map.

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The Indiana Senate has rejected a redistricting plan designed to oust the state's two Democratic representatives and put Republicans in control of all nine congressional districts.

The vote was 31-19. Twenty-one Republican Senators and all 10 Democratic Senators voted 'no' on the proposal.

Inside Senate chambers, Democratic lawmakers were outspoken against the plan. Sen. Fady Qaddoura chalked the move up to cutting competition, saying, "Any political party on earth that cannot run and win based on the merits of its ideas is unworthy of governing.”

There were also protesters outside of the building, in the hallways, and even waiting outside of the chambers holding signs that encouraged "fair maps".

After the vote, Governor Mike Braun released a statement, writing:

"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. 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.”

Details of the failed proposal

The proposed map would have erased Indiana's two Democratic-held districts by breaking Indianapolis into four districts that extend into rural Indiana, and eliminating the northwest Indiana district, right outside of Chicago.

This kind of change is typically made once every ten years, in response to new data from the Census Bureau.

But President Donald Trump has been urging Republicans nationwide to redraw their congressional maps in an attempt to maintain a majority in the House of Representatives.

The president said anyone who voted against the plan should lose their seats. Half of Indiana senators are up for reelection next year, and the conservative organization Turning Point Action had pledged to fund campaigns against them, according to AP News.

How Southern Indiana Senators voted

Southern Indiana is covered by several different state senators.

• Eric Bassler (District 39- Washington): NAY
• Gary Byrne (District 47- Salem): YEA
• Chris Garten (District 45- Scottsburg): YEA
• Eric Koch (District 44- Bedford): YEA
• Daryl Schmitt (District 48- Jasper): YEA
• Jim Tomes (District 49- Evansville): YEA
• Vaneta Becker (District 50- Evansville): NAY

Southern Indiana voters will not face new congressional districts in 2016 after the rejection of the new plan.

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