U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Indiana, points while speaking to members of the Greenwood Rotary Club on Monday at Central Nine Career Center.
Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal
U.S. House members representing parts of Bartholomew County have expressed support for redrawing Indiana’s congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections — putting them at odds with state lawmakers representing the county.
Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Indiana, has said “I support the president’s call” for early redistricting and that “Hoosiers can help turn this tide” in the midterms, while Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, has said “it’s time to redraw Indiana’s congressional map” to help ensure “Hoosiers have the strongest possible conservative voices in Washington.”
The comments from the two U.S. House members representing Bartholomew County stand in contrast to state lawmakers representing the county — Sen. Greg Walker, R-Columbus; Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus; and Rep. Jim Lucas, R-Seymour — who have characterized the idea as ranging from “ridiculous” and “ill-advised” to “optically terrible.”
The divide among Republicans comes as President Donald Trump and his allies continue to ramp up pressure on GOP-led states, including Indiana, to redraw their congressional maps, which are normally revised once a decade after the census. The Trump administration recently dispatched Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to build support for early redistricting.
The administration has also invited all Republican state lawmakers from Indiana to visit the White House next week. So far, Lucas is the only state lawmaker representing part of Bartholomew County who has confirmed he has accepted the invitation and plans to make the trip.
Shreve’s staff said the first-term congressman was unavailable to answer questions about his support for early redistricting despite the opposition from state lawmakers in his district. Instead, they pointed to his public statement.
“I support the president’s call to counterbalance radical blue states governors like (California Gov.) Gavin Newson and (Illinois Gov.) JB Pritzker who’ve long manipulated districts in California and Illinois,” Shreve said in the statement. “Their gerrymandering efforts undercut fair representation. Hoosiers can help turn this tide.”
For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
