Hailey
Missouri could soon become the center of attention in U.S. politics. Republicans in the state are thinking about changing the borders of congressional districts, which could give them an extra seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This plan, if it moves forward, would most likely affect Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who represents part of Kansas City.
Let’s explore what’s happening, why it matters, and how it connects to a larger national political fight over redistricting.
What Is Redistricting and Why Is It Important?
Redistricting means redrawing the lines that separate voting areas. These areas decide which representative goes to the U.S. House of Representatives from each district. This happens every 10 years after the U.S. Census to make sure each area has about the same number of people.
But sometimes, parties use this process to help themselves win more elections. This is called gerrymandering — where the party in power draws lines that give their side an advantage.
What Missouri Republicans Are Planning
Right now, Missouri has eight House districts:
- 6 are Republican-held
- 2 are Democratic-held
One of those two Democratic seats belongs to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat who has been in office since 2005. His district includes parts of Kansas City, which tends to vote Democrat.
Now, Republicans want to change the map. While no official new map has been shared yet, it’s likely that the goal is to weaken Cleaver’s district by splitting it or shifting its borders.
Missouri’s Current House Delegation
| Party | Number of Seats | Notable Names |
|---|---|---|
| Republican | 6 | Mike Kehoe, Chad Perkins |
| Democrat | 2 | Emanuel Cleaver, others |
What the Leaders Are Saying
Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, recently said in a Fox 2 News interview that he’s open to redrawing the districts. He asked:
“Is Missouri represented properly in Washington, D.C., and quite frankly, what can we do to support President Trump’s agenda?”
His spokesperson, Gabby Picard, added that Kehoe will “always consider options” that support Missourians.
A National Political Fight
This is not just happening in Missouri. Other states are redrawing their maps too:
- In Texas, Republicans could flip five Democratic seats by changing their map.
- In California and New York, Democrats are now thinking of doing the same thing to fight back.
In a CNBC interview, former President Donald Trump said that Republicans were “entitled” to those seats in Texas.
While it’s not confirmed whether Trump is pushing Missouri to redistrict, Chad Perkins, Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem, said he got a call from someone at the White House about the idea.
What Democrats Are Saying
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who might lose his seat in this process, says the plan is “awful” and “not helpful or wholesome for our democracy.”
Cleaver says he did speak with Gov. Kehoe on the phone after hearing the news but says the talk was respectful and no promises were made. However, he did say his team is already preparing legal options in case things move forward.
His words were strong:
“If we can’t convince Republicans that this is damaging to their brand and to this country, then we’ll have to convince a judge.”
Will There Be a Special Session?
Cindy O’Laughlin, the Missouri Senate’s president pro tem, said no decision has been made yet. But if Kehoe calls a special session, the Senate will be ready to talk about it.
This means lawmakers could be brought back to work outside their regular schedule to vote on the new district lines.
What Could Happen Next?
If the map changes, the new lines could split Kansas City or mix it with rural areas that tend to vote Republican. That would make it harder for Cleaver or any Democrat to win the seat.
If this happens, Democrats in other states might respond by changing their maps too. That’s how redistricting wars often play out—state vs. state, each trying to outdo the other.
Missouri is now part of a bigger battle over how political lines are drawn in America. What looks like a simple map change could affect who wins or loses in the 2026 House elections.
While Republicans say they want fair representation, Democrats argue it’s a power grab. With legal teams preparing and national leaders watching, this redistricting story is just getting started—and could shape Missouri politics for years to come.