In a 90-65 vote, the Missouri House of Representatives approved a new Congressional map aimed at consolidating Republican power ahead of next year’s midterms. The plan would reduce Democratic representation in the state to a single seat while shifting seven of Missouri’s eight districts to favor Republicans, up from their current six.
The redistricting effort follows similar moves in states like Ohio, Florida, Indiana, and South Carolina, where GOP-controlled legislatures have redrawn boundaries to strengthen party influence. The map now advances to the State Senate, where it is expected to pass swiftly. Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican who initiated the special session to address redistricting, has signaled support for the measure.
State Representative Dirk Deaton, a Republican sponsor of the bill, defended the plan as legally compliant and constitutionally sound. The proposal would realign districts to incorporate parts of Kansas City into rural areas, altering electoral dynamics in key regions. Democratic lawmakers face limited options to block the measure, given their diminished legislative strength.
The final approval could come as early as Wednesday, marking a significant shift in Missouri’s political landscape.
