Andrade stands with national Democrats in fight against Republican gerrymandering at Boston capital

Today, State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) joined Democrats from across the country in Boston, Mass., to stand against Republican gerrymandering efforts threatening fair representation in states like Texas - and potentially, Indiana.

Attending a bipartisan policy conference, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Andrade joined Indiana House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) at a press conference to call out the national Republican Party’s attempts to manipulate congressional maps for political gain.

Vice President J.D. Vance is expected in Indianapolis tomorrow, Aug. 7, to meet with Gov. Mike Braun regarding a potential special session to redraw Indiana’s congressional districts - a move Andrade calls a direct attack on Hoosier voters.

“Although I am in Boston standing with Texas Democrats, this fight has now reached our doorstep,” Andrade said. “This is pure gerrymandering disguised as redistricting. It is a blatant power grab from the national level that has trickled down into Indiana and Hoosiers don’t want it.”

Andrade warned that redrawing Indiana’s maps to favor the majority party would strip Hoosiers of their voice.

“This will take power away from the people,” Andrade said. “Instead of voters choosing their representatives, the party in power will choose its voters. That was never how our democracy was intended to work.”

“This hits home for me,” Andrade said. “My neighbor and friend, Congressman Frank Mrvan, represents The Region, and his district is being targeted. There is no clearer natural division between communities of interest in Indiana than there is between the communities that border Lake Michigan and the rest of the state, but Republicans don't care about keeping our community united in our congressional representation. National Republicans already hold the majority in Congress, yet they’re reaching even further and abusing their power to try to silence communities like ours. To them I say: ‘Get off our lawn.’”