Missouri Governor Calls Special Session for Redistricting
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s Republican Governor, Mike Kehoe, announced on Friday that he will summon state lawmakers for a special session aimed at redrawing the state’s U.S. House districts. This move is part of a broader national strategy by Republicans and Democrats to gain an advantage ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.
Kehoe’s announcement came shortly after Texas Governor Greg Abbott enacted a new voting map expected to bolster Republican representation in the 2026 midterms. This shift is seen as a win for former President Donald Trump, who has been encouraging Republican-controlled states to adjust district boundaries to secure party interests.
Missouri becomes the third state to pursue mid-decade redistricting with partisan motives. Texas was the first, followed by California, where Governor Gavin Newsom is looking to enhance Democratic representation through a new map.
The special session in Missouri is set to start on September 3. Kehoe has proposed a new district map that notably adjusts the boundaries of Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-area district, stretching it into rural areas that lean Republican.
In addition to redistricting, Kehoe’s agenda includes a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at making it more difficult to pass citizen-initiated ballot measures, a response to recent amendments on topics like abortion and marijuana legalization.
Kehoe emphasized that his initiatives are necessary to ensure that Missouri’s conservative values are represented at all levels of government. “Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented,” he stated.
However, Democrats swiftly criticized the governor’s actions, labeling him a “Trump puppet” who seeks to manipulate the congressional landscape for Republican gains. State House Minority Leader Ashley Aune described the measures as a severe threat to the integrity of Missouri’s government.
“By attempting to gerrymander Missouri, this will undermine democracy and silence the voices of voters,” Cleaver stated, vowing to fight against any changes to his district.
Despite the pushback, Missouri Democrats face challenges in halting the redistricting process. Unlike in Texas, where Democrats obstructed a vote by leaving the state, Missouri law allows Republicans to proceed without a Democrat quorum.
With the Republicans holding a slight majority of 220-215 in the House after the 2024 elections, the stakes are high. Historically, the incumbent president’s party tends to lose seats during midterms, prompting Trump to rally Republican states to fortify their positions.
As redistricting unfolds, discussions are also taking place in other Republican-led states like Florida and Indiana, as well as in some Democratic states pursuing similar strategies.
This redistricting effort in Missouri represents a significant moment in the ongoing political battle, reflecting deeper issues surrounding representation and electoral fairness in American politics.
