Indiana state senator Michael Bohacek, a Republican whose daughter has Down syndrome, has pledged to vote against a congressional redistricting plan that would benefit his party, following Donald Trump's use of an ableist slur against Democratic Minnesota governor Tim Walz.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Bohacek wrote that he has been “an unapologetic advocate for people with intellectual disabilities” since his daughter's birth. Referring to Trump's slur, he added: “His choices of words have consequences.” Bohacek stated he would vote no on redistricting, suggesting Trump could use the next ten months to convince voters of his merits.
The redistricting effort, pushed by Trump and his administration, aims to redraw Indiana's congressional map to give Republicans more US House seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Indiana legislators are set to consider the measure in December, but state senate leaders have indicated insufficient support for its passage.
Trump had previously threatened primary challenges against any Republican state senator who opposed the plan, writing on Truth Social that they should “DO THEIR JOB, AND DO IT NOW!” Since then, at least nine Republican officials in Indiana have been targeted by swatting attacks, and state senator Jean Leising reported a pipe bomb threat. Governor Mike Braun also said he received threats, calling for an end to the violence.
Bohacek's opposition drew praise from many Facebook users, though some criticized him for only acting when personally affected. He has served in the Indiana senate since November 2016.
