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Emotions rise as Senate considers congressional redistricting

Members of the public chant outside the Senate Chamber while HB 1032 is read on Dec. 8, 2025, during the Senate session at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith leads the Senate session on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana Senator Rick Niemeyer waves that he is present during the senate session after entering during roll call on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana State Senator Andrea Hunley speaks on Dec. 8, 2025, in the Senate Chamber during the session at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

An audience member reacts during testimonies given during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Senate Elections Committee chair Mike Gaskill listens to public testimonies during the meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Sen. Fady Qaddoura comforts Sen. Greg Walker after the Senate Elections Committee meeting ended on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. During the meeting, Walker gave a passionate speech opposing redistricting efforts where he started to cry. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

An audience member reacts during testimonies given during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Members of the public chant outside the Senate Chamber while testimonies are given on Dec. 8, 2025, during the Senate Elections Committee at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Josh Young of Indinpolas joins attendees of Turning Point Action’s rally in chants in support of redistricting efforts on Dec. 5, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. “We are in a culture war,” Young said. Young, a college student, missed a class to attend the rally. He told his teacher, “I’m going to the Statehouse to fight for our country.” Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Mike Boatman livestreams while walking through a crowd of people who oppose the redistricting efforts outside of the Senate chamber during the public testimony portion of the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana Senate President Rodric Bray speaks with members of the media after the Senate session on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana State Senators, from left, Fady Qaddoura and Daryl Schmitt talk during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Members of the public give testimonies during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Members of the public chant outside the Senate Chamber while testimonies are given on Dec. 8, 2025, during the Senate Elections Committee at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana State Senator Michael Young talks with the public outside of the senate chamber during the public testimony portion of the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Members of the public chant outside the Senate Chamber while testimonies are given on Dec. 8, 2025, during the Senate Elections Committee at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Attendees meet Indiana Governor Mike Braun after a Turning Point Action rally in support of redistricting on Dec. 5, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Counterprotesters against redistricting chant while Turning Point Action holds a rally in support of redistricting efforts on Dec. 5, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith react to speakers at Turning Point Action’s rally in support of redistricting efforts on Dec. 5, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Sen. Tyler Johnson (left) listens as Sen. Greg Goode speaks during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Sen. Stacey Donato looks around during the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Sen. J.D. Ford talks with a member of the public during a recess from the Senate Elections Committee meeting on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Brett Phelps is a community photojournalist for Mirror Indy in partnership with Report for America and Catchlight Local. Contact Brett by email [email protected].

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