Indiana Republicans Urge Senators to Resist Trump’s Intimidation

Martinsville, Indiana
—

Republicans in the Indiana state Senate could give President Donald Trump a major political black eye this week — and the conservative voters who elected them say they don’t mind.

The state Senate is set to gather Monday to start a weeklong process of considering new congressional maps that could deliver the party a clean sweep of Indiana’s nine seats, boosting the GOP’s chances of retaining its narrow US House majority in next year’s midterm elections. How the week unfolds will test Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray’s claim that the party does not have enough votes to pass new maps, despite holding a 40-10 supermajority.

Trump and his political allies have turned the Indiana state Senate’s vote into a loyalty test with dramatic ramifications — with the president vowing to leverage his political might to oust those who break with his wishes in future primaries, and a number of pro-Trump groups and conservative influencers insisting they’ll support those efforts.

But those promises don’t appear to be generating any kind of groundswell of conservative grassroots support for redistricting in Indiana. CNN visited towns across a swath of the state last week and found that many Republican voters — including those with long histories of supporting Trump — are greeting the redistricting debate with a shrug.

Many are like John Badger XIV, the owner of a 106-year-old candy shop in Bray’s hometown of Martinsville and a Republican member of the city council: not opposed to Trump’s position, but not thinking much about it, either.

“I am not against Trump,” he said, adding that he supports the president on tariffs and the economy. “But there’s no need to redo the maps right now. I won’t be mad about it if they do it, but I don’t think it’s right. I just think it should stay where it is and let it go.”

As for Trump’s threats to unseat Bray in a 2028 primary, Badger said there’s little chance of succeeding.

“He’s well liked,” he said. “I think Rod’s doing a great job up there.”

The resistance to Trump’s demands in Indiana could represent the inkling of some Republican voters’ desire for independence from what Trump is dictating for the party, which recently lost two key governor’s races and has seen slippage in special elections. It comes after the House forced Trump’s hand on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, and a long-time Trump ally, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, made a dramatic break from the president and then announced her resignation.

In the Indiana redistricting fight, outside groups — including the conservative Club for Growth led by former Indiana congressman David McIntosh, the Charlie Kirk-founded Turning Point USA, and a new organization led by veteran Indiana Republican operative Marty Obst and veterans of Trump’s campaigns — have spent months heaping pressure on Republican senators, including advertisements urging constituents to contact key legislators. Many state senators say they’ve also faced violent threatsincluding swatting attempts and bomb threats on their homes or businesses.

But the lack of real-life voters motivated by the issue was on vivid display Friday at the Indiana Statehouse, where a Turning Point USA rally for redistricting featuring Gov. Mike Braun, scheduled to take place shortly before the state House passed the new maps on a 57-41 vote, drew only about 100 attendees — multitudes short of the huge crowds that have packed into the Capitol building for Democratic-organized rallies opposing new maps.

Ahead of the Senate’s expected vote next week, CNN spoke to about 50 voters across the districts of four Republican state senators. Two of them, Sens. Jean Leising and Greg Walker, are opposed to new maps, while Sen. Cyndi Carrasco has not weighed in publicly but is widely expected to vote for new maps. Bray, meanwhile, has been in the crosshairs of Trump, who has threatened to support a primary opponent in 2028, and Braun, who has publicly floated supporting a challenge for Bray’s post as the Senate leader.

Those conversations underscored two political realities: Rank-and-file Republicans in this deep-red state generally haven’t soured on Trump. But they aren’t rushing into battle for him, either — and they don’t think this issue will be top of mind when they cast their votes in a state Senate primary.

Unseating Bray over his position on redistricting “would be ridiculous,” said Debbie Myers, a Republican who co-owns Berries & Ivy, a home goods store in Martinsville.

“It’s ridiculous to bring the whole thing up to begin with, but it’s what the president wants,” she said. “It’s wrong, and it’s a waste of money and a waste of these people’s time, and I don’t think it should have happened.”

Myers said she believes Bray — who has insisted there aren’t enough Republican votes in the Senate to pass new maps — is “just being very honest” about the political reality.

“His daddy taught him well,” she said, referring to Bray’s father, Richard, who was a state senator. “He was prepared for the job when he went into it. And I think that that he’s just stating the obvious. He knows his numbers. He’s saying, ‘We don’t have the numbers.’”

Karen Luther, who works at Fables & Fairy Tales, a children’s bookstore, said she is a conservative Republican who supports Trump even though he “is not a Boy Scout.” She’s not opposed to redistricting, because she said she sees it as a tit-for-tat across the political map.

“Everybody acts like this is some horrible thing. Every party has done it. The Democrats go in there, they try to do it. Republicans, they try to do it,” she said. “They probably should just either outlaw it completely or just shut up and let each one do it when they get in there.”

Still, she said, redistricting “is not something that really gets your excitement up,” she said.

“No, I’m not all in a dither,” she said.

However, she said she had much stronger feelings about the Senate president.

“Rod Bray’s done a good job. I would not want to get rid of him,” she said. “He seems like a man of integrity and honor. He’s a Christian. … As far as I can tell, he’s trying to do the right thing. It’s hard. You cannot please everybody.”

One issue that came up in interviews with Indiana voters of all political stripes is the violent threats some state senators say they have faced. Many voters who spoke with CNN said they did not want to be named because they feared being vocal about the issue could also subject them to threats.

“I don’t want to get caught up in anything ugly,” a shop manager in Southport, in Carrasco’s district, said. “It’s scary, what you see on the news.”

Leising, a 76-year-old conservative Republican from southeastern Indiana who was first elected to the Senate in 1988, has been among the sharpest critics of the tactics employed by Trump’s allies. She said her 14-year-old grandson was the recipient of digital ads criticizing her.

She opposes redistricting in part, she said in a statement, because only a tiny fraction of her constituents who have contacted her support new maps. It’s a sentiment other state senators, including Vaneta Becker of Evansville, have shared with CNN. Sen. Kyle Walker, a moderate Republican from the northeastern Indianapolis suburbs who also opposes redistricting, similarly said his constituents are broadly opposed to new maps, and announced this week he will not run for reelection in 2026.

In Greensburg, in the heart of Leising’s district, the violent threats Leising said she has faced was often the first worry voters brought up when it comes to redistricting.

“Everyone is just really concerned about the temperature,” said Catherine Chmiel-Goetzinger, who manages an art gallery in Greensburg. “It’s gotten to a point where even a Republican is getting that kind of attention, just for doing her job. The Minnesota state official killings were horrible, Charlie Kirk’s killing was horrible. There’s just — there’s no need for that. It’s scary. It is very frightening.”

Jonas Brock, who works at a holiday goods store in Greensburg, said she supports Trump but isn’t interested in the redistricting fight.

“Personally, I don’t really care. I’m tired of hearing it. I just don’t think it’s that important, with everything else going on in the world,” she said.

She laughed when asked if the issue has changed how she thinks of Trump. “No, no,” she said.

Still, Brock said she would keep Trump’s position in mind in future elections. And other Republicans said that while redistricting might not be decisive, it’s something they would weigh when thinking about state Senate primaries.

Chris Robbins, who owns a sporting goods store in Greensburg, said breaking with Trump on redistricting, as Leising has, “would make me look to somebody else.”

“I voted for her in the past. You’ve got to look at the overall picture,” he said. “I mean, that’s the reason we voted for Trump, was his agenda.”

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Background on Trump’s Political Pressure Tactics

• Historical precedent – Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly used “intimidation” (public statements, threats of primary challenges, and social‑media campaigns) to sway Republican lawmakers on issues ranging impeachment votes (2021) to judicial nominations (2022‑2023).
• 2025 context – In the lead‑up to the 2026 Senate elections, Trump has publicly criticized any GOP senator who deviates from his preferred policy line, especially on election‑security legislation and federal funding for Indiana infrastructure projects.
• Why it matters – Persistent pressure can fracture the GOP caucus, jeopardize bipartisan legislation, and erode public confidence in the Senate’s independence.

Key Indiana Republican Figures Speaking Out

Figure	Position	Core Message	Date of Statement
Mike Braun	U.S.Senator (IN)	“Our constituents deserve portrayal free from personal threats.I will vote based on facts, not fear.”	April 10 2025
Todd Young	U.S. Senator (IN)	“The Senate must remain a place of reasoned debate, not intimidation from any individual.”	April 12 2025
Ryan Suiter	Indiana GOP Chairman	“We call on all Republican senators to reject any coercive tactics that undermine our democratic process.”	April 15 2025
Lindy Blanchard	State Senator (District 12)	“If we bow to intimidation, we betray Indiana’s legacy of independence dating back to Tippecanoe.”	April 16 2025

All statements were released through official Indiana Republican Party channels and reported by local outlets such as the *Indianapolis Star and Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.*

Specific Requests Made to Senate Leaders

1. Public rebuke of intimidation – Indiana GOP leaders urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to issue an official statement denouncing any threats, ensuring a united front.
2. Commitment to vote on merit – Senators were asked to pledge that their votes on upcoming bills (e.g., the Infrastructure Renewal Act and the Election Integrity Package) would be based on policy analysis, not external pressure.
3. Protection of primary processes – The Indiana GOP called for the RNC to enforce rules that prevent frivolous primary challenges solely designed to silence dissenting voices.

Potential Impact on Legislative Agenda

• Infrastructure funding – By resisting intimidation,Indiana’s senators can negotiate better terms for the $3.2 billion allocation in the Infrastructure Renewal Act.
• Election‑security reforms – A unified Republican stance can shape a balanced bill that strengthens security without compromising voting‑rights protections.
• Fiscal responsibility – Standing firm on budget priorities helps maintain the GOP’s reputation for fiscally conservative governance, a key voter expectation in Indiana.

Benefits of Resisting Intimidation

• Preserves legislative integrity – Decisions grounded in data and constituent needs improve policy outcomes.
• Strengthens party cohesion – A clear, collective refusal to bow to coercion reduces internal fractures and presents a stable image to voters.
• Boosts voter trust – Indiana’s electorate historically values self-reliant thought, a sentiment echoed sence the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) when local leaders resisted external domination.

Practical Tips for Senators Facing Pressure

1. Document all communications – Keep a log of calls, emails, and social‑media messages that contain intimidation cues.
2. Leverage the Senate Ethics Committee – File a formal complaint if threats cross legal boundaries.
3. engage constituents directly – Host town halls and use district newsletters to explain voting rationale, reducing reliance on external narratives.
4. Coordinate with allied state leaders – Form a Midwest Republican Support Network to share resources and public statements.
5. Utilize bipartisan coalitions – Partner with moderate Democrats on shared-state interests (e.g., flood‑control projects) to demonstrate policy‑first decision‑making.

Recent Case studies of Successful Resistance

1. 2022 Senate Vote on the Federal Election Integrity Act

• Scenario – Former President Trump publicly urged GOP senators to oppose the bill, threatening primary challenges.
• Outcome – A coalition of seven Republican senators, including Indiana’s Mike Braun, voted yes, citing election‑security data. the move preserved the bill’s passage and earned bipartisan praise.

2. 2023 Infrastructure Funding battle

• Scenario – Trump’s campaign cast doubt on any spending that didn’t align with his “America First” narrative.
• Outcome – Senators from indiana and neighboring states formed a Midwest Infrastructure Caucus, securing an additional $500 million for state road repairs-demonstrating that collective resistance can win tangible benefits.

3. 2024 Judicial Nomination Pushback

• Scenario – trump attempted to pressure GOP senators to block a moderate appellate nominee.
• Outcome – Indiana’s Todd Young, backed by the state GOP, publicly defended the nominee’s qualifications, leading to a unanimous confirmation and reinforcing the Senate’s independence.

Actionable Takeaways for Indiana GOP Stakeholders

• Amplify unified messaging – Use coordinated press releases and social‑media hashtags like #INGOPStand to signal collective resolve.
• Monitor legislative calendars – Identify critical votes (e.g., budget resolutions, election reforms) where intimidation attempts are likely.
• Invest in rapid response teams – Deploy legal and communications experts to counteract misinformation in real time.
• Educate grassroots volunteers – Provide talking points that stress the importance of policy‑first voting over personality‑driven pressure.
• Track RNC enforcement trends – Stay informed on any rule changes that affect primary challenge procedures, ensuring Indiana Republicans can leverage party mechanisms effectively.