Governor Mike Kehoe Dubs Plan “Missouri FIRST Map,” As Democrats Vow Legal Challenge
The Missouri Senate on Friday approved a new congressional map that is poised to reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The newly drawn map, dubbed the “Missouri FIRST Map” by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe, is expected to be signed into law quickly and would add one safe Republican district to the state’s House delegation.
The new redistricting plan targets the 5th congressional district, currently held by long-serving Democratic Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver. The map carves up the heavily Democratic Kansas City area, effectively flipping the seat into a reliably Republican one. It also bolsters the 2nd congressional district, a seat won by Republican Rep. Ann Wagner with a 12-point margin in 2024, by adding more Republican voters.
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The move makes Missouri the second Republican-led state to advance a redistricting plan aimed at increasing the number of GOP districts, following Texas, which recently implemented a new map that could add up to five more Republicans to its House delegation.
The new map has drawn swift condemnation from Democrats, including Rep. Cleaver, who has served 11 terms in Congress. Cleaver, who earlier this month labeled the plan “as stinky a plan as you could have,” and other Democrats have announced their intention to fight the map in court.
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Meanwhile, Republicans have celebrated the Senate’s approval. Republican Missouri Rep. Bob Onder from the state’s 3rd congressional district hailed the map as “a great day for Missouri” in a post on X. The push for the new map had received high-level support, with encouragement for its passage from figures in the federal government.
The redistricting efforts are not confined to Missouri and Texas. The White House has also urged Indiana to redraw its map, with the Vice President visiting the state in August to press the issue. Ohio is also expected to see a new map soon, as its current state law requires a redrawing before the 2026 midterms.
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