INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WDRB) -- Indiana lawmakers could be heading back to the Statehouse sooner than expected.
Members of the Indiana House of Representatives have been told to keep the first two weeks of December open for a possible special session.
The Senate, meanwhile, said it plans to return in January.
But President Donald Trump's pressure to act sooner is mounting as he takes aim at Hoosier Republicans.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote that he was “very disappointed in Indiana State Senate Republicans.”
He also warned that he plans to back primary challengers against GOP lawmakers who refuse to redraw the state’s congressional maps.
Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray acknowledged the political tension.
“We recognize there is a political outfall for that,” Bray said. “Next year is an election year — 2026 — for all those on the ballot, both in the primary and in November.”
Bray suggested his party’s focus should be on finding strong candidates, not reshaping districts.
“If we had a candidate that we could all get behind and be supportive of, I think we could turn that seat and give one more congressional (district) in our delegation to Washington, D.C.,” he said.
Across the Statehouse, House Speaker Todd Huston delivered a clearer message.
“My preferred outcome is that we redistrict,” Huston said. “That is the preferred outcome of the House Republicans.”
Huston has instructed members to keep early December open for a potential session if the legislature moves forward with redrawing the maps.
Democratic lawmakers, including Wendy Dant Chesser, of Jeffersonville, said the schedule remains uncertain.
“We are still a little uncertain what the first two weeks of December are going to look like,” Dant Chesser said.
Rewriting Indiana’s congressional map would create a logistical challenge for county election officials and potential candidates.
It would also give campaigns less than five months to organize, raise money, and meet voters before the May 2026 primaries.
“I don’t read the political tea leaves as well as others,” Dant Chesser added. “All I know is we are here to do a job — and anything that distracts us from doing the best we can for our residents is not helpful.”
Several versions of possible redistricting maps have circulated online, but nothing is official until lawmakers vote — if they decide to take up the issue in December.
For now, the Indiana Senate plans to return Jan. 5, 2026, while the House waits to see if that special session materializes.
Previous Coverage:
Indiana House, Senate appear split on redistricting as Braun and Trump double down
Indiana governor defends redistricting plans after criticism from President Trump
Indiana lawmaker who opposed Trump's redistricting push is victim of a swatting
Indiana Senate lacks votes for mid-cycle redistricting, cancels December special session
Indiana Gov. Braun defends redistricting as protesters gather in New Albany
Indiana's special session to revisit congressional maps likely won't start Monday
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Indiana Gov. Mike Braun calls a special session to redraw congressional maps
Indiana Republicans lack votes to pass new congressional map
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