The Republican leader of the Indiana Senate announced Friday he will step down from his leadership position after six GOP incumbents who opposed President Donald Trump on a congressional redistricting plan in the state lost their primaries. Rodric Bray, who has served as Indiana Senate President Pro Tem since 2018, stated he will not seek reelection to the leadership post when Senate Republicans elect their leaders in November.
Bray's decision follows a December vote in which he opposed the redistricting plan, defying intense lobbying efforts from Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and national conservative groups. Bray had cited a lack of sufficient support for the plan. The rejection of the plan occurred after weeks of him saying it did not have enough votes to pass.
Trump reacted to the news via social media, commenting that Bray had "foolishly led" the state Senate and noting the primary losses of those who had defied him on the redistricting effort. Bray, in his statement, did not directly mention Trump or the redistricting controversy. He stated that holding the leadership job "has been among the most significant honors of my life, but it’s time for the Senate to choose another leader."
Bray's current term in the Indiana Senate extends through 2028, and he will continue to serve as a senator, just not in a leadership capacity. His announcement marks a significant shift for the Indiana Republican party following the primary election outcomes.