• Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced a special session to redraw congressional districts.
• The proposed map aims to benefit Republicans at the expense of Democratic representative Emanuel Cleaver.
• This decision follows similar moves in Texas and aims to bolster Trump's agenda ahead of the midterms.
• Democrats express outrage, framing the redistricting as an unconstitutional power grab.
• The session is set to begin on September 3, 2025.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional districts, starting on September 3, 2025. This session is part of a broader national movement among Republican-led states to reshape electoral maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, responding to pressure from former President Trump to solidify GOP control in the House. Kehoe described the proposed changes as the "Missouri First Map," which aims to ensure that "Missouri's conservative, common-sense values" are represented effectively at all government levels, according to NPR and HuffPost.

The proposed map is expected to target the Kansas City area, specifically aiming at Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver's district by extending its boundaries into more conservative regions. Cleaver has condemned these efforts, branding them an unconstitutional act of gerrymandering that could silence the voices of voters who did not support the current map changes. He vowed to challenge this redistricting in court and emphasize the need for democratic representation in the state, as reported by ABC News and CBS News.

This move to redraw Missouri's congressional districts follows a recent redistricting law signed in Texas that aims to secure additional seats for Republicans. Trump praised both initiatives as vital for the GOP's chances in future elections, asserting that Missouri's actions will help ensure his party’s comeback. Additionally, the session will also consider a ballot measure aimed at making it harder for voters to alter the state constitution through citizen initiatives, a tactic the governor views as necessary to protect "Missouri's future," according to South China Morning Post and TRT Global.

Despite the Republican majority in the Missouri legislature facilitating the passage of the proposed maps, Democrats are preparing to use procedural tactics to delay the process. This includes potential filibusters and public campaigns aimed at rallying public opinion against what they consider blatant gerrymandering. The tension surrounding these actions arises from the legal ambiguities associated with mid-decade redistricting, especially since Missouri's constitution stipulates that redistricting should follow the census once every decade, as highlighted in Anadolu Agency and The Hill.