Missouri Committee Advances Extreme GOP Gerrymander Map

Missouri Republicans took the first major step in Gov. Mike Kehoe’s (R) extreme special session, as the House Special Committee on Redistricting voted 10–4 to advance a new congressional gerrymander that would dismantle Kansas City’s Democratic-leaning 5th District.

If Kenhoe’s “Missouri First Map” is enacted, it would tilt Missouri’s House delegation from its current 6–2 Republican advantage to a 7–1 split by cracking apart communities of color in the Kansas City district, long represented by Democrats.

The move comes just one day after the NAACP filed a lawsuit to block Kehoe’s extraordinary session, calling it unconstitutional and a waste of taxpayer money used to undermine voters’ rights. The petition argues the governor has no legal basis to demand mid-decade redistricting without new census data or congressional reapportionment.

The committee’s vote underscores how quickly Republicans are moving to pass the map despite the ongoing court challenge. Democrats blasted the plan as a partisan power grab designed in Washington, not Missouri.

“This type of policy is morally corrupt and inexcusable,” said state Rep. Mark Sharp, the top Democrat on the committee, during Thursday’s hearings. “Every Missourian deserves fair representation and not these political tricks.”

The full House is expected to take up the “Missouri First Map” in the coming days, setting up a clash between the legislature’s speed and the courts’ willingness to intervene.

Jen Rice contributed to this reporting.