Missouri’s Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe is shaking up the state’s political map with a bold move. Starting Sept. 3, 2025, he’s calling a special legislative session to redraw congressional districts, aiming squarely at flipping the 5th District, held by Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.
The Daily Caller reported that Gov. Kehoe announced the session, set to kick off at noon, to tackle both redistricting and initiative petition reform. Missouri currently has six Republican and two Democratic congressional seats, but the GOP wants a 7-1 split by reshaping Cleaver’s district.
It’s a calculated effort to tilt the scales further right, inspired by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent signing of new congressional maps.
The timing is tight, overlapping with a veto session scheduled for Sept. 10, 2025. Kehoe’s push aligns with a broader Republican strategy, cheered on by former President Donald Trump, who’s urging redistricting in GOP-led states. Democrats, caught off guard, are bracing for a fight in Jefferson City.
The 5th Congressional District, held by Cleaver, is the GOP’s prime target. Redrawing its boundaries could dilute Democratic votes, making it a safer bet for Republicans. Kehoe’s plan is clear: shift the balance of power while claiming it’s about “clarity for voters.”
“This is about clarity for voters and ownership of our future,” Kehoe said on Aug. 29, 2025. Nice try, governor, but let’s be real—redistricting is a political knife fight, not a civics lesson. The GOP’s banking on a map that locks in their edge for years.
Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Russ Carnahan isn’t buying the rhetoric. “This move represents an alarming abuse of power,” he said, calling it a “blatant attempt to rig the electoral map.” He’s got a point—redistricting can feel like moving the goalposts mid-game, but it’s legal and both sides play it.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, the incumbent in the 5th District, is digging in. “I will not surrender the voices of the people who entrusted me to fight for them,” he declared. Stirring words, but passion alone won’t stop a determined GOP legislature.
Cleaver doubled down, vowing to fight in court and at the ballot box. “We will demand that the rule of law is upheld,” he said. Good luck—legal battles over redistricting often drag on, and voters may not see the impact until the next election.
Democratic leaders in the Missouri House are gearing up for the session. They expect to be summoned to Jefferson City, ready to spar over maps and reforms. It’s a steep hill to climb when the GOP holds the pen.
Besides redistricting, Kehoe’s session will tackle initiative petition reform, a pet project for conservatives. Missouri’s initiative process lets citizens propose laws, but some Republicans think it’s too easy for progressive ideas to sneak through. Tightening the rules could stifle grassroots campaigns—ironic for a party preaching “voter clarity.”
The overlap with the veto session adds pressure. Lawmakers will juggle redistricting, reform, and veto overrides in a compressed timeline. It’s a recipe for heated debates and late-night deals.
Texas’s move to redraw its maps hours before Missouri’s announcement set the stage. Abbott’s success emboldened Kehoe, showing what’s possible when a governor leans in. Trump’s call for aggressive redistricting only pours gas on the fire.
Trump’s influence looms large, urging GOP-led states to redraw maps in their favor. Missouri’s not alone—expect more states to follow suit. It’s a high-stakes game to lock in Republican gains before demographic shifts change the board.
Democrats cry foul, but redistricting is as old as politics itself. Both parties gerrymander when they get the chance—Missouri’s GOP is just playing the hand they’ve got. The real question is whether voters will reward or punish the move.
