Why Indiana Is the ‘Last Line of Defense’ for Republicans
The Daily Signal 12/9/2025 6:56:37 AM
 

The Hoosier state has joined the redistricting war. A new Republican-favored U.S congressional map, known as Map 90, advanced from the Indiana state House to the Senate this week for final approval.  

The new congressional map would likely give the final two Democrat U.S. House seats to Republicans, making the states’ margins 9-0, in the Republicans favor.  

The GOP currently holds a majority in the U.S. House, but it is slim—a 219–213 majority with three vacancies. Map 90 could give Republicans a stronger eight-seat majority along with being a more accurate representation of the state.

Brett Galaszewski, director of Turning Point Action’s National Enterprise, joined The Daily Signal’s flagship podcast, “The Tony Kinnett Cast” to discuss the significance of Map 90 and what it means for Republicans nationally.  

Indiana is currently the “center of the political universe,” according to Galaszewski. Map 90 is â€œputting (Republicans) in the best possible position to retain the House of Representatives.”  

“A state like Indiana really epitomizes what a conservative state looks like,” Galaszewski told Kinnett. “It’s about as red as any other, Wyoming, Alabama…There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a 90 congressional map.” 

“If the Supreme Court overturns the Voting Rights Act, like we’re expecting them to, Indiana’s going to have to redraw its maps anyway because Marion County (Indiana 7th congressional district) is literally drawn along racial lines in its electoral map,” Kinnett explained. 

Retaining the House of Representatives next year is a broader national issue. But Galaszewski shared the aspect which will impact the Indiana citizens who have been struggling in the two Democrat districts. 

“We have an opportunity, via now new maps, that allow for Republican representation to instill prosperity into those two communities of Gary and central Indianapolis that haven’t had that in literally decades,” Galaszewski explained.  

Turning Point Action is the grassroots activism arm of Turning Point USA, the conservative student nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk, who was murdered earlier this year.  

“We’re a generation that really embraces authenticity, and Turning Point has kind of the monopoly right now on the young conservative activist crowd,” said Galaszewski. 

Last week he hosted the first ever Turning Point Action event at the Indiana State House. 

“We’re hoping that we can send that final message to those Republican state senators that the Republican grassroots—the ones who have knocked doors until their knuckles have bled to make sure that we’ve had that 40 to 10 majority on the state Senate—they don’t want this. They want the 9-0 map,” said Galaszewski. â€œ(The) Republican base, the ones who donate time and treasure to come out and vote these people in, they don’t want that either. They want President [Donald] Trump’s redistricting effort.” 

Although Republicans control the Senate, according to the Associated Press, there’s “no clear indication” the Senate will approve the map, as some GOP lawmakers have expressed concerns about a mid-decade redistricting. 

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