Missouri Begins Special Session Redrawing Congressional Map Favoring Republicans

Missouri has launched a special legislative session to redraw its congressional districts, a move driven by Republican Governor Mike Kehoe and backed by President Trump, aiming to increase GOP representation in the U.S. House. The redistricting effort targets the urban Fifth Congressional District, currently held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, by dividing it among predominantly rural, Republican-leaning districts, potentially flipping the seat to the GOP. This initiative follows a similar strategy recently enacted in Texas under Governor Greg Abbott, part of a broader Trump-led campaign to secure more Republican seats ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While Republicans hold six of Missouri's eight congressional seats, the redistricting is seen as a way to gain an additional seat, supported by the state's Republican supermajority legislature. Democrats have strongly criticized the effort, with state House Minority Leader Ashley Aune condemning it as a partisan power grab that undermines fair representation and likening it to historic threats to Missouri's government integrity. President Trump hailed the redistricting as an opportunity for Missouri voters to elect more MAGA Republicans, underscoring the political stakes involved in the redistricting battle.