Missouri GOP Redistricting Push Targets Democrat-Held District/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Missouri will hold a special legislative session to redraw its congressional map, likely benefiting Republicans. Governor Mike Kehoe’s proposal targets a Democratic-held district in Kansas City. This aligns with national GOP efforts, led by Donald Trump, to reshape House control before 2026.
Missouri Redistricting Push Quick Looks
- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe calls for special session on redistricting
- Proposal likely shifts one Democratic seat to Republican control
- Focus on Kansas City-area 5th Congressional District, held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
- Trump pressures GOP-led states to redraw maps mid-decade
- Missouri joins Texas, Indiana, Ohio in Republican redistricting efforts
- Democrats face uphill battle due to GOP supermajorities in Missouri legislature
- GOP controls redistricting in 23 states vs. 15 for Democrats
- Democratic National Committee calls Missouri redistricting a “power grab”
Deep Look
Missouri’s GOP-Led Redistricting Move Could Tip Balance in Congress
Missouri has become the latest battleground in the national redistricting war as Republican Governor Mike Kehoe announced a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries. The decision, made public on Friday, aligns the state with a broader Republican strategy to strengthen its hold on the House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Governor Kehoe’s redistricting proposal includes a controversial revision of the state’s congressional map, specifically targeting the 5th Congressional District. This district, centered around the Kansas City area, is currently represented by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver. By redrawing the district’s lines, Republicans aim to convert it into a GOP-friendly seat, increasing the party’s dominance in Missouri’s eight-member delegation from six to potentially seven seats.
The special session is scheduled for Wednesday, marking Missouri’s formal entry into the wave of mid-decade redistricting sweeping through several Republican-controlled states. This move directly responds to increasing calls from President Donald Trump, who has been pressuring GOP-led legislatures to rework congressional maps in their favor.
Trump’s influence over redistricting has been significant. Just last week, he posted on Truth Social, celebrating Missouri’s involvement:
“The Great State of Missouri is now IN. I’m not surprised. It is a great State with fabulous people… We’re going to win the Midterms in Missouri again, bigger and better than ever before!”
This is not Trump’s first redistricting push. In Texas, he successfully encouraged lawmakers to redraft their maps, resulting in five additional Republican-friendly districts. That move sparked strong Democratic resistance, including a dramatic walkout by Democratic lawmakers to prevent a quorum in the state legislature.
Missouri Democrats, however, may lack similar tools to fight back. The Republican Party controls supermajorities in both chambers of the Missouri Legislature, giving them full power to enact new district lines without Democratic consent. That reality makes any significant opposition by Democrats almost entirely symbolic.
GOP strategists are hoping that Missouri’s move will inspire similar action in other Republican-controlled states. Indiana is under increased pressure from both Trump and Vice President JD Vance to follow suit. Meanwhile, Ohio — already planning a mandatory redraw — could potentially yield three more Republican-leaning districts.
While the GOP presses forward, Democrats are left with limited opportunities to counter. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders are trying to gain ground by backing a ballot initiative aimed at creating five new Democrat-leaning districts. However, this move is among the few concrete Democratic responses so far.
One bright spot for Democrats could be in Utah, where a court recently ordered the state legislature to comply with anti-gerrymandering laws and redraw its congressional map. This could open up a rare opportunity for Democrats to compete in what has been a reliably Republican state.
Still, when it comes to the national redistricting landscape, Republicans hold a distinct advantage. As of now, the GOP controls both the governor’s office and the state legislature in 23 states — giving them free rein in the redistricting process. Democrats hold that level of control in just 15 states, limiting their ability to make proportional gains.
Reacting to Missouri’s redistricting announcement, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin accused Governor Kehoe of sabotaging fair representation in the state.
“Time and time again, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has undermined the voice of Missouri voters,” Martin said in a Friday statement. “Now he is attempting to dilute their power altogether by removing the ability of Missourians to stand up against this power grab.”
As both parties prepare for what could be a defining battle in 2026, redistricting efforts like Missouri’s may play a pivotal role in determining the next balance of power in Congress.
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