From the Daily Caller: Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe of Missouri will convene lawmakers next week to redraw the state’s congressional districts in a move that could flip a Democratic seat to Republican control, Fox 2 News reported.
The special session begins Wednesday, September 3 at noon, with Republicans targeting Kansas City Democrat Emanuel Cleaver’s 5th Congressional District, according to Fox 2 News. The GOP-backed plan intends to reshape the district to favor Republican candidates, potentially shifting Missouri’s current 6-2 Republican advantage in Congress to a 7-1 split.
“This is about clarity for voters and ownership of our future, and I hope the legislature will work together to pass our Missouri First Map and critically needed IP reform,” Kehoe said Friday, the outlet reported. The session will also address reforming the state’s initiative petition process, a long-standing conservative priority.
Gov. Kehoe posted a video announcement and wrote, “Today, I am calling on the General Assembly to take action on congressional redistricting and initiative petition reform to ensure our districts and Constitution truly put Missouri values FIRST.”
Today, I am calling on the General Assembly to take action on congressional redistricting and initiative petition reform to ensure our districts and Constitution truly put Missouri values FIRST. pic.twitter.com/O3ZDArSDQV
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) August 29, 2025
President Donald Trump reacted to the move, and posted a map, along with the following statement on Truth Social Friday:
GREAT Governor Mike Kehoe, of the Wonderful State of Missouri, which I love and won SIX times, including with 1.8 Million Votes in 2024 (by far the most Votes in History!), just called a very Special Session to begin passage of a new, much fairer, and much improved, Congressional Map, that will give the incredible people of Missouri the tremendous opportunity to elect an additional MAGA Republican in the
2026 Midterm Elections — A HUGE VICTORY for our America First Agenda, not just in the “Show-Me State,” but across our Nation.
Remember, I won the 2024 Presidential Election in a landslide, won ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, THE POPULAR VOTE, AND ALL FIFTY STATES SHIFTED REPUBLICAN, a record, and now I have the best polling numbers I’ve ever had. Our Party has never been more UNITED, and we are getting so much done for the American People because of it, and, therefore, I call on all of my Republican friends in the Missouri Legislature to work as fast as they can to get this new Congressional Map, AS IS, to Governor Mike Kehoe’s desk, ASAP. THANK YOU MISSOURI – MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Gov. Kehoe replied, “Thank you, @POTUS. Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that.”
Thank you, @POTUS.
Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that. https://t.co/GPYzBCccYP
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) August 30, 2025
Meanwhile, Missouri Democrats are fuming. “This move represents an alarming abuse of power and a blatant attempt to rig the electoral map for partisan gain,” Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Russ Carnahan raged.
Chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party Russ Carnahan called the move an “alarming abuse of power and a blatant attempt to rig the electoral map.”https://t.co/lzgehIv5or
— KRCG 13 (@KRCG13) August 29, 2025
And California’s Democrat governor Gavin Newsom slammed the effort.
“These Republican Governors are weak and pathetic — drooling at the mouth for an opportunity to give Trump whatever he wants. Game on,” he taunted.
These Republican Governors are weak and pathetic — drooling at the mouth for an opportunity to give Trump whatever he wants.
Game on. https://t.co/uhcJ40U5zL
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 29, 2025
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