Yoder Rallies Democrats to “Just Say No” to Redistricting Push During JD Vance Visit

Written from live video transcript:

INDIANAPOLIS — October 10, 2025

State Sen. Shelli Yoder, D-Bloomington, urged Hoosiers to “just say no” to a proposed mid-decade redistricting effort during a rally Friday at the Indiana Statehouse, calling Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit “a power grab for Donald Trump” and a betrayal of working Hoosiers.

Yoder, who represents Indiana Senate District 40 — covering most of Monroe County, including Bloomington, Ellettsville, and the Indiana University campus — was among several speakers at the Indiana Democratic Party–organized event held in response to Vance’s second trip to Indianapolis to pressure Republican lawmakers into redrawing congressional maps.
Gov. Mike Braun has said he will not call a special legislative session on redistricting unless legislative leaders support it.

They’ve got money for jet fuel, but not for groceries

In a fiery speech that drew loud cheers and chants from the crowd, Yoder criticized the use of federal resources for partisan purposes while government workers and programs suffer amid a federal shutdown.

“Hardworking Hoosiers are paying the price,” Yoder said. “But somehow, there’s still enough money for J.D. Vance to make a second trip on Air Force Two — not to help farmers, not to fix the health care crisis or the housing shortage — but to twist the arms of willing Indiana legislators to cheat for Donald Trump.”

Yoder accused the Trump administration of cutting millions from Indiana programs and institutions, including Purdue University and public health initiatives, while promoting policies that harm farmers and working families.
“Donald Trump canceled $35.9 million from Purdue University’s College Access program, leaving low-income students stranded,” she said. “He’s taken 126,000 Hoosiers off their health care and raised costs for farmers through new tariffs.”

We believe in fairness, decency, and democracy

Throughout her remarks, Yoder drew a contrast between what she described as Hoosier values of fairness and the partisan tactics driving the redistricting push.

“We work hard. We play fair. We don’t cheat — especially not for people who keep cheating us,” she said. “We believe in decency. We believe in democracy. And we believe that when you lie and cheat and rig the system, you don’t get rewarded — you get called out.”

Yoder called on lawmakers to reject political pressure from Washington and to stand with their constituents instead.
“Republicans who feel pressure behind closed doors, we see you,” she said. “Be strong. Stand with your voters. Do not let them bully you into betraying the people who sent you here.”

This fight isn’t about maps — it’s about power

Yoder framed the redistricting proposal as a fundamental test of democratic integrity, warning that bending the rules for short-term advantage would erode public trust in government.

“This fight isn’t about maps,” she said. “It’s about power — about whether we should always rewrite the rules, or whether we draw the line right here in Indiana.”

The rally ended with Yoder urging Hoosiers to contact their legislators and Governor Braun. “We won’t stand for cheating,” she said. “Just say no.”

The post Yoder Rallies Democrats to “Just Say No” to Redistricting Push During JD Vance Visit first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.