The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed the state’s new congressional map, ruling that Governor Mike Kehoe exercised constitutional authority to convene a 2025 special legislative session. The decision clears the path for the redistricting plan to take effect in the 2026 midterm elections.
Under the newly approved map, Republicans are projected to gain a 7-to-1 advantage within Missouri’s congressional delegation. Currently, Missouri’s House of Representatives includes six Republicans and two Democrats.
During the court hearing, Attorney Sharon Jones of the NAACP of Missouri challenged the legality of the special session, arguing that last September’s gathering did not meet the constitutional definition of an “extraordinary” session. “To repackage political objections as a lawsuit demanding this court rewrite Missouri’s constitution would not comply with how we interpret our Constitution,” Jones stated to judges.
Joe Kiernan from the Missouri Attorney General’s office defended the session, asserting that while opponents have strong political concerns, they lack standing to demand constitutional reinterpretation. “The governor wields discretionary authority to call extraordinary sessions,” Kiernan argued. The court’s unanimous ruling cited Article IV, Section 9 of Missouri’s constitution as granting the governor this discretion without limitations.
Lawmakers approved the new congressional map and a proposed constitutional amendment during the special session. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway praised the decision, stating: “This opinion represents yet another win for the people of Missouri and the Missouri FIRST Map, and another loss for left-wing lawfare. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Governor Kehoe acted within his constitutional authority when he convened the special session which passed the Missouri FIRST Map.”
