Overview

• Gov. Mike Kehoe unveiled a "Missouri First" proposal that stretches Kansas City’s 5th District into rural Republican areas, targeting Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
• Kehoe’s call also includes changes to the citizen‑initiative process, with a proposed constitutional amendment to make ballot measures harder to approve.
• Trump praised the move and urged swift passage, as Republicans seek to add a Missouri seat to their current 6–2 advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• The announcement came hours after Texas finalized a GOP‑favored map Republicans say could yield up to five pickups, while California has teed up a November referendum on a Democratic‑leaning map.
• Missouri and national Democrats condemned the plan and signaled court fights, joining ongoing Voting Rights Act challenges in Texas and court‑ordered redraws in states like Utah that could determine 2026 maps.