Mrvan: I won’t allow redistricting talk to impact my work

Democratic Congressman Frank Mrvan said he’ll continue to work with his Republican counterparts even as that party considers whether to potentially draw him into a heavily Republican district.

Mrvan’s northwest Indiana district covers Lake and Porter counties and part of LaPorte County. The Cook Political Report rates his district as D+1, by far the most competitive in the state. In an interview with News 8 for All INdiana Politics, Mrvan said there is no justification for redrawing districts mid-decade. Still, he said he will not allow talk of redistricting to affect his own work or the way in which he works with his colleagues. He said he’s currently working with Republicans Erin Houchin and Rudy Yakym on rural broadband and utility rates, respectively.

“They’re toeing the political line,” Mrvan said. “I understand the fear theory of what comes out of the White House, but I will not allow that to change me or change the relationships that I work with every day.”

Mrvan’s comments came a day after a gunman assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. Mrvan said redrawing maps will only worsen political partisanship.

“I’m a firm believer, a firm believer that, if you have all red states or all blue states, you’re going to expand, or you’re going to accelerate, extremism,” Mrvan said. “You’re not going to have people reaching across the aisle or finding middle ground for issues.”

Mrvan’s district includes the U.S. Steel Gary Works. In August, Mrvan and eight other members of Congress, including fellow Indiana Democrat Andre Carson, sent a letter to the Trump administration asking for clarification of the U.S. government’s stake in Nippon Steel following that company’s acquisition of U.S. Steel. They also asked for more details about worker protections. Mrvan said he has not yet received a response. He said he wants to ensure Nippon Steel honors union contracts and pays their fair share of taxes.

President Donald Trump recently expanded the number of products subject to a 50% steel and aluminum tariff. Mrvan said the tariffs protect American steelworkers from competition from heavily subsidized steel made in China. He said the steel industry is strategic and America needs to preserve its leadership in that area.

All INdiana Politics airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.