Missouri lawmakers approve new congressional map
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Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios
The Missouri Legislature on Friday approved a congressional map that splits Kansas City into three parts, an attempt to flip a seat long held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.
Why it matters: Hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2026 midterms could find themselves in a new voting bloc that includes communities hundreds of miles away.
The big picture: Many of District 5's majority Democratic voters would be redistributed to rural districts with a much larger share of Republican voters.
- That means Missouri Republicans' current 6-2 advantage in the U.S. House could end up 7-1.
Zoom in: Downtown and South KC would end up in District 4. Independence and KC's East Side would remain in District 5. The Northland would go to District 2.
- The map divides KCMO along Troost Avenue, a historic racial dividing line.
What they're saying: Trump called the map "much fairer" and praised Missouri Republicans for helping "send an additional MAGA Republican to Congress" on Truth Social shortly after the vote.
- Axios Kansas City reached out to Gov. Mike Kehoe on Friday afternoon but received no response.
Catch up quick: At least 5,000 people filled the state Capitol this week to rally against the map that would dilute Kansas Citians' voices, according to organizers.
- President Trump spoke to state senators after the rally and urged them to pass the map to deliver a victory for the Republican Party, the Missouri Independent reported.
The other side: "I'm deeply disappointed that Missouri's Legislature put the wishes of Washington above the voices of their own constituents and the needs of our communities," Cleaver said in a statement after the decision.
- "Together, in the courts and in the streets, we will continue pushing to ensure the law is upheld, justice prevails and this unconstitutional gerrymander is defeated."
- Lenny Jones, vice president and state director for SEIU Healthcare Missouri/Kansas and co-organizer of Wednesday's rally, said the Legislature "attacked our democracy by rigging our maps. We stand ready to fight back and fight forward against this assault on the rights and freedoms of all Missourians."
What's next: The bill heads to Kehoe's desk, where he is likely to sign it.
- Cleaver has already promised a lawsuit if lawmakers approve the new map, the Missouri Independent reported.
- And opponents of the bill on Friday announced a referendum petition that could force a statewide vote on the map, according to the AP.