The Republican author of a bill redrawing Indiana's congressional boundaries defended the map Tuesday, avoiding repeated questions from Democrats about whether the map was racially gerrymandered.

"It was drawn for political advantage," Rep. Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) repeatedly told Democrats as they questioned him on the map, which is redrawn to favor Republicans.

Republicans currently hold seven of Indiana's nine U.S. House seats. Democrats represent the 1st District in northwest Indiana — held by U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan — and the 7th District in Marion County, anchored by Indianapolis — held by U.S. Rep. André Carson.

The new map proposed by House Republicans would slice up those Democratic districts, diluting enough Democratic voters to keep those seats red. The Marion County district woul

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