An Indiana Republican state senator announced Nov. 28 that he will vote against the state'sredistrictingfollowingPresident Donald Trump's use of a slur in a Thanksgiving social media post.
Trump'sNov. 27 Truth Social post‒ one in a series of anti-immigrant comments posted Thursday ‒ referred to Minnesota Gov.Tim Walzas the "r-word." Though the word was formerly used in medical contexts, it's now widely regarded as offensive, anddisability advocates seek to end its use.
"Those of you that don't know me or my family might not know that my daughter has Down Syndrome," state Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, wrote on Facebook. "This is not the first time our president has used these insulting and derogatory references and his choices of words have consequences."
Trump has pushed for several states, including Indiana, to redraw congressional maps to create more safe Republican districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Redistricting in Indiana appeared to bedead for 2025when state Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray announced Nov. 14 that his chamber did not have the votes to support it. But Bray reversed course Nov. 25 and said the Senate would in fact vote on whatever proposal the House sends their way.
The House is scheduled to convene Dec. 1 to discuss a new map, and the Senate is set to vote Dec. 8. Both chambers would have to pass a measure to send it to Gov. Mike Braun to be signed into law.
Bohacek, who hadnot previously made a public statementon redistricting, was one of 19 Republican senators who voted toreconvene in Januaryrather than meeting on redistricting in December.
Indiana's redistricting fight has in recent weeks drawn bothTrump's ireandthreats to lawmakers in their homes.
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached atrhmurphy@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star:Sen. Mike Bohacek to vote no on redistricting after Trump uses 'r-word'
