FORT WAYNE, IND. (WOWO) — Indiana Governor Mike Braun said the state’s political landscape is shifting as lawmakers move quickly on a mid-decade redistricting bill that could reshape several congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms as he joined Kayla Blakeslee on Fort Wayne’s Morning News.
“Almost all of the objection has been from Democrats and liberal, independent, moderate independents. So be clear about that. Republicans hardly ever get out and protest on anything. That’s why they call them the silent majority,” Braun said during an interview with Kayla Blakeslee of Fort Wayne’s Morning News. He added that the House’s recent passage of the bill “kind of changed the dynamic, even their intention to do it.”
Braun noted the White House has been closely following the process, while emphasizing that Indiana must act to prevent an electoral disadvantage. “Every other state knows that it’s an uneven playing field. Democrats wouldn’t hesitate a moment to do it. And we give them an inherent electoral advantage in crafting who’s going to be a congressman or even when it comes to the electoral count. So it’s got to get done,” he said.
He outlined the legislative process so far, saying the state Senate has been working to move the bill through committee and onto the floor for second and third readings. “It passed through the Elections Committee. I think the committee report will get passed on the floor today. And then their second, third readings, and maybe by Thursday, we’ll get this thing put to bed,” Braun said.
When asked about the public feedback from more than 120 Hoosiers who testified at the Senate committee hearing, Braun said he pays attention but focuses on the priorities of elected officials. “There are a handful of Republicans that I think are left over from the old days… most of the new state reps and senators are of that cut. And when I was in the U.S. Senate, almost every new senator coming in was replacing the old guard that was flat-footed and let us get into places in the national scene that put us at a disadvantage.”
Braun also highlighted the role of young conservatives in the process. “You’re now finally seeing youth proud to say that they’re conservatives. And you can see that through Turning Point. That is probably the most gratifying thing, is finally we got young people out there leading the charge on faith, family, community, freedom, opportunity… This is a small part of it.”
On whether he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk, Braun said, “No doubt about it. I came into this office having a fight for property tax relief, and… the Senate fought most of that in the first session. They are going to need to get with it. They control it with 40 out of 50 members… Dying on that hill doesn’t make sense.”
In addition to redistricting, Braun discussed his new Family First initiative, designed to strengthen support for families in Indiana. “Earlier this year, I signed an executive order extending paid maternity leave for new mothers up to 10 to 12 weeks. Once you have a newborn, you can bring the infants into work. Certain rules… maybe get into a place where it’s not going to be disruptive, but it’s going to err on the side of encouraging help for families with newborns. I think it’s going to set a stage for everything we can do for my time as governor to really strengthen and bolster the families,” he said.
Braun explained that the initiative aligns with broader national discussions on faith, family, and community. “Across the country, a lot of it aligned with a federal government that seems to do very little that emphasizes basic principles of faith, family, in your own community, and especially the family unit. This is something that shouldn’t be debatable when it talks about families and helping them.”
He concluded by urging listeners to stay engaged on the redistricting issue. “Any listeners on the redistricting issue, make sure you call your senators… we need fair maps and have them contact their senator. That’s going to be important as well on that issue,” Braun said.
