Politics
Scott Jennings Sends Dire Warning After RINOs Tank Indiana Map: ‘Republicans Are Rookies’
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings had a stern warning for Republican lawmakers after the Republican-dominated Indiana State Senate overwhelmingly voted against a congressional map redraw that would have netted the party two seats in next year’s midterm elections, a move that significantly increases the odds of a Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.
The proposed maps would have split the Democratic Party stronghold of Indianapolis four ways, effectively eliminating the districts currently controlled by Democrats to give the GOP a 9-0 sweep when it comes to U.S. House seats. After the Indiana House advanced the motion last week, the proposed map went to the Senate, where it was soundly defeated on Thursday.
The vote was not particularly close, as 21 Republicans voted against the measure while just 19 voted in favor. President Donald Trump and a number of key allies were furious over the move, leading organizations like Turning Point USA and the president himself to vow primary challenges.
When reacting to the move on Thursday evening, Jennings was rather perplexed with the actions of Indiana Republicans given the “ruthlessness” displayed by Democrats in their own redistricting efforts, such as Virginia, where the party has announced plans to draw out all but one Republican-controlled seat despite the state going to former Vice President Kamala Harris by single digits.
Jennings noted Democrats are unlikely to reverse course in Virginia, or Illinois, regardless of what Republicans did in Indiana, adding that Republicans are “rookies” when it comes to gerrymandering.
“We are nowhere near as practiced or ruthless when it comes to redistricting as these Democrats. You get state after state after state where Republicans have virtually no representation in Congress at all. Illinois is already one of the most, if not the most, gerrymandered state in the nation,” he said.
“So, make no mistake, gerrymandering is a Democratic skill set. Republicans are still pikers when it comes to this. But I got to tell you, what you heard tonight is what they’re going to do. They’re ruthless. Democrats have shut down the government. They’ve told the military to stop following orders. They’re trying to redraw maps. This is the future with Democrats, a ruthless kind of politics, and Republicans better wake up to it.”
