Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to speak at anti-redistricting rally at Indiana Statehouse

Update (12:42 p.m.)

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun provided an update on Thursday on redistricting efforts and the potential of a special session.

Braun said that he believes that the topic “is moving” in the Indiana Legislature and a special session will not be hosted unless it is successful. Braun said that it could happen anytime from early November through the “very earliest part of the session” in 2026, but “likely earlier rather than later.”

Braun said he would like it to happen when the leaders and legislators feel comfortable with it.

”We’re going to look at it, we’re going to poll our legislators, and if it’s there, we’re going to do it,” Braun said. “My feeling is it probably will happen. There will be some other issues we talk about. But I’m going to let it happen at the pace that we put in place. I think we’ll get there.”

Original Story

INDIANAPOLIS—Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg is expected to speak at an Indiana Statehouse rally Thursday—joining Democratic lawmakers in an attempt to convince Republican colleagues not to redraw the state’s Congressional districts mid-decade.

“I think he’s the perfect advocate for us in this position because what Republicans are trying to do right now with redrawing the maps: it only benefits one group, and that’s the Republican Party,” Indiana State Rep. Mitch Gore, D-Indianapolis, said. “Pete’s kind of practical experience…where he was focused on the things that people actually need and have requested, is the perfect counterpoint to, you know, my colleagues in the House, and their efforts that really only serve a political purpose.”

“I think for the Democrats, they see [Buttigieg] as middle of the road, very moderate, kind of common sense, practical approach,” Laura Wilson, a political science professor at the University of Indianapolis, said. “The Democrats’ large argument, and I think their best argument against redistricting, is that we don’t do this just because we want a political gain, a political outcome. Now, there are probably some Republicans in the party, in the state legislature, who may also agree with that argument. I think that’s where Buttigieg can be really helpful.”

The White House has pressured state Republicans to redistrict early to give Republicans an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms. Last week, Indiana House and Senate Republicans caucused behind closed doors to discuss redistricting options, but gave no indication of what leadership’s plans could look like. Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray said last Friday he did not anticipate any updates on redistricting would be released this week.

“The fact that it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t make me think it’s not going to, and in fact, I feel that it feels likely, quite frankly, especially the national momentum that we will probably redistrict,” Wilson said.

“At this point, to ignore it, we would not be doing our jobs,” State Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Indianapolis, who supports redistricting mid-decade, said.

Over the weekend, Haggard joined other state lawmakers and Sen. Jim Banks (R-Indiana) during a conference, calling for a special session given the actions of Democratic-led states.

“I do want a special session to be called, because at this point, whether you like it or don’t like it, we’re being (dragged) into this battle with many other states on both sides,” Haggard said. “I still need, like all legislators do, just to see a valid map with valid data and information to make our final decision…I think we need to do it sooner than later, I think, because if you let a problem fester, it’s just going to, I think the more you sit on something with that information, I think things just get worse.”

Thursday’s rally featuring Buttigieg is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Indiana Statehouse.