Missouri GOP enacts mid-decade House map
Missouri Republicans passed a mid-decade congressional map in 2025, aiming to unseat Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City and bolster GOP prospects in the 2026 U.S. House. The move, pushed to Gov. Mike Kehoe’s desk, has triggered multiple lawsuits challenging whether Missouri’s constitution allows redrawing congressional lines between censuses, with a Missouri Supreme Court decision expected next year.
📌 Key Facts
- Missouri became the second GOP-led state after Texas to redraw U.S. House districts in 2025 at President Trump’s urging.
- Opponents argue the state constitution permits redistricting only after a census; defenders counter there is no explicit bar on mid-decade remaps.
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins publicly defended the map’s legality; the Missouri Supreme Court is expected to rule in 2026.
📊 Relevant Data
Missouri's 5th congressional district has a population of 769,211, with 59.2% White (Non-Hispanic), 22% Black (Non-Hispanic), and 11.3% Hispanic.
Congressional District 5, MO | Data USA — Data USA
In the 2020 presidential election, 87% of Black voters nationwide voted for the Democratic candidate, compared to 41% of White voters, while the U.S. population is approximately 13% Black and 59% White.
From 2010 to 2020, the Kansas City region became more racially and ethnically diverse, with the share of White non-Hispanic residents decreasing, while the overall population grew by about 10%.
What a difference a decade makes — ArcGIS StoryMaps
Missouri's congressional delegation includes two Black representatives out of eight, both Democrats, representing 25% of the delegation while Black individuals make up about 11.5% of the state's population.
Missouri's 5th Congressional District — Ballotpedia