Indiana GOP Rep. Marlin Stutzman joins redistricting movement ahead of 2026 midterms

As the 2026 midterms approach, Republicans are taking the approach of redistricting in order to "level the playing field" for their constituents and GOP Rep. Marlin Stutzman is bringing his home state, Indiana, into the melee. 

"Indiana is such a Republican state," Stutzman said in a phone interview with Just the News. "The problem I see is because Indiana isn't a sanctuary state, there is an imbalance of non-citizens in states like New York counted in the census, and it can give them as many as 10 extra seats."

Stutzman, who represents Indiana's third congressional district, announced last month that it was time for the state to redraw its congressional maps.

"Democrats have proven they will use every tool available to them to gain and keep power," he wrote on the social media platform, X. "For years, Republicans have idly stood by while the Left has weaponized government against us. It’s time for us to drop the gloves. At this moment, our state has the opportunity to give conservative Hoosiers the representation in DC they deserve. I stand with President Trump, it’s time to redraw Indiana’s congressional map!"

"This isn’t the game we like to play," he said. "We have to respond to be sure that the Hoosiers have a balanced chance.”

Other states eyeing redistricting

Stutzman told Just the News that other states planning to redraw their congressional maps include Missouri, Ohio and Texas. 

The Missouri state House on Tuesday passed a new congressional map that creates another Republican district, which could give the GOP another potential seat in the 2026 midterms.

Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a redistricting bill into law that will give Republicans five more congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.

In August, President Donald Trump met with Indiana House Speaker President Todd Huston and Senate President Rodric Bray for a private meeting in the Oval Office. 

“It feels like the tide is starting to turn as Indiana Republican legislators are starting to understand they can deliver a huge win that Trump and his team will not forget,” an Indiana Republican said at a larger meeting with Trump, according to Politico. 

Indiana Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita, who was also at the meeting, was also showing support for the redrawing of the Hoosier state's maps. 

"Trump asked the Hoosiers to come to the White House with no pressure to talk about policy and what the Trump admin hopes to do," Stutzman said. "It depends on the House GOP majority. It's in reaction to what the Democrats do in their state."

Gov. Gavin Newsom's, D-Calif., effort to redistrict the Golden State in response to similar efforts in Republican bastions appears to run against his constituents' wishes, a recent poll found. Undaunted, Newsom is using redistricting as a fundraising tool, using the progressive Act Blue to take donations to "Donate to Stop Trump from Rigging the 2026 Election." 

According to CalMatters, the California Legislature approved his proposal calling for a special election on a ballot measure that would suspend the state’s current congressional districts, which were drawn by an independent commission, and replace them with a map intended to favor Democrats.  

Newsom declared a Nov. 4 special election shortly afterward.