Are Republicans fumbling a golden opportunity to redraw the political landscape in the Midwest?

In a stunning setback, GOP efforts to push through mid-decade congressional map changes in Indiana and Kansas have stalled, caught between internal party disagreements and staunch Democratic resistance, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Top Republican leaders, with White House backing, have been pressing for new maps in both states to strengthen their hold on the U.S. House come 2026. Their ambition is clear, but the execution? Not so much.

Indiana GOP fractures over map changes

In Indiana, the Republican supermajority in the state Senate is splintering over the issue. Senate Leader Rodric Bray’s office has admitted they lack the votes to pass new maps, even with just 10 Democrats in the chamber.

That means over a dozen Republicans are breaking ranks, refusing to support the redistricting push. State Sen. Spencer Deery has been outspoken, arguing against mid-cycle changes since August.

“We are being asked to create a new culture in which it would be normal for a political party to select new voters, not once a decade -- but any time it fears the consequences of an approaching election,” Deery warned. If conservatives aren’t careful, this kind of precedent could backfire when the other side holds power.

Beckwith demands bold action

On the flip side, Indiana GOP Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith is turning up the heat, blasting the Senate supermajority for its hesitation. He’s calling for a 9-0 Republican congressional map to add two more GOP seats.

“Indiana Senate, let’s get this done now,” Beckwith insisted. While his urgency resonates with those eager to lock in conservative gains, pushing too hard might deepen the party’s divide.

Vice President JD Vance even made a trip to Indiana to bolster the effort, with Bray describing their talk as “fruitful and productive.” Yet, without the votes, high-level support seems more symbolic than effective.

Kansas Republicans hit similar snags

In Kansas, the GOP faces a mirror image of Indiana’s woes, with enough party opposition to halt redistricting plans. A special session requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers, a threshold they can’t currently meet.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly opposes the maps, and overriding her veto demands supermajorities the Republicans lack. Senate President Ty Masterson is urging action, but dissenters like House Rep. Mark Schreiber stand firm against a mid-cycle overhaul.

“Redistricting by either party in midcycle should not be done,” Schreiber declared. His commitment to tradition over tactics is a reminder that not all conservatives are ready to rewrite the rules for short-term wins.

Targeting a Kansas Democrat’s seat

The Kansas GOP’s sights are set on flipping Rep. Sharice Davids’ seat, representing parts of the state’s largest county, including Kansas City, to create a 3-1 Republican delegation. Past attempts to redraw her district failed, as Davids won re-election by wide margins in recent years.

Democrats aren’t sitting idle, proposing their own maps to counter the GOP’s moves, while Davids has publicly decried the effort as unfair. “Rigging voting maps for political gain isn’t fair -- and Kansans know it,” she posted on X. While her words carry weight with her base, one wonders if voter loyalty will again trump map-making schemes.

As this partisan tug-of-war unfolds, the bigger question looms for conservatives: Does mid-decade redistricting uphold democratic fairness, or does it risk painting the GOP as power-hungry? Both states’ struggles suggest a party at odds with itself, grappling with strategy versus principle, while Democrats seize the chance to cry foul.