State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-Goshen) is pushing back on calls for Indiana lawmakers to pursue a mid-cycle Congressional redistricting plan, arguing that the move would not strengthen Republicans’ chances in 2026 and could undermine efforts to pick up the state’s lone Democratic-held seat.
In a statement released Monday, Doriot said he remains a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and wants to see Trump backed by a Republican-controlled House. But he argued that attempting to disperse Democratic voters in Lake and Marion counties across new districts this late in the cycle would not guarantee the 9-0 GOP map some activists are demanding.
According to Doriot, potential Republican candidates in any newly drawn districts “haven’t walked a parade, haven’t raised a dollar,” and would still have to navigate primary fights before reaching a general election—leaving little time to build viable campaigns.
Instead, Doriot said Republicans should remain focused on flipping the 1st Congressional District, which he noted has been steadily trending toward the GOP. He pointed to recent results in Lake County, including the election of a Republican to a state senate seat long held by Democrats.
“In Indiana, redrawing our Congressional maps mid-cycle is not the best way for us to do that,” Doriot said. “We should be focusing on flipping our existing 1st Congressional District as the way to give Trump another Republican in Congress.”
Doriot emphasized he is “a proud Trump supporter,” but said the most realistic path to adding another Republican to Indiana’s delegation is competing in the 1st District rather than attempting a late-term statewide remap.
