Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) has called for a special session for the state Legislature to address redistricting, potentially being the next state to redraw its congressional district lines. The proposal targets Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) in the state’s 5th Congressional District, adding more area from outside Kansas City to make it more conservative-leaning. Cleaver slammed the proposal as unconstitutional and said it ignores the 40 percent of Missourians who voted for Democrats last year. He vowed to continue fighting even if the map is approved.
Cleaver is one of two Democrats, along with Rep. Wesley Bell, who represent Missouri in the House. The remaining six are Republicans. The change may only net Republicans one additional seat in the Show Me State, but it could be critical to the House majority in 2026. Democrats are hoping to pick up as many as five additional seats in California if voters approve the ballot measure allowing state officials to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterms. If Missouri and a few other Republican-leaning states also redraw their lines, the GOP could have the edge in the redistricting battle.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin condemned Kehoe’s call, saying the governor “caved” to President Trump’s wishes “at the expense of Missouri families and American democracy.” Martin argued that Republicans should not choose their voters, but should protect voters’ sacred rights as demonstrated by California. Kehoe also called for the Legislature to take up legislation related to ballot measures in the special session to require a period for public comment before measures are certified for signatures to be gathered and that a measure receives majority support statewide and in each congressional district to be approved.
