In a move that could shift congressional power, the Missouri state Senate passed a new redistricting map on Friday aimed at giving Republicans an additional U.S. House seat for the 2026 midterms. The plan, championed by the GOP and backed by former President Donald Trump, now heads to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe for his expected signature.
Known as the “Missouri First” map, the revision redraws district lines across the state—most notably dismantling parts of Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II’s Kansas City–based 5th District. The district will now stretch eastward into rural counties that lean heavily Republican. The result: Missouri’s delegation could shift from currently six Republicans and two Democrats to as many as seven Republicans and one Democrat.
Republican leaders argue the changes “better reflect conservative voices” and streamline the state’s districts. Critics counter that the map diminishes minority representation, splits communities—especially around Kansas City—and undermines democratic norms.
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Legal challenges are already underway. Democratic Rep. Cleaver II has vowed to oppose the map in court, and grassroots groups such as People Not Politicians are gathering signatures to force a statewide referendum. If successful, voters could overturn the map before it takes effect.
This mid-decade redrawing of districts comes amid a broader GOP push to safeguard its narrow House majority in 2026. States such as Texas and Missouri are leading the charge; others—including Ohio and Indiana—could follow. Meanwhile, Democrats have expressed concern that these moves amount to engineered political advantage and may spark significant legal and civic backlash.
As the governor reviews the plan, the balance of political power in Missouri—and potentially the entire House—could hinge on whether the map is upheld, challenged, or overturned.