Judge Upholds Governor’s Authority to Call Special Session on Missouri Congressional Map

Cole Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Cole County judge has ruled that Gov. Mike Kehoe acted within his constitutional authority when he called a special legislative session last fall to consider a new congressional redistricting map.

The Missouri State Conference of the NAACP filed the lawsuit, arguing the September special session did not meet the Missouri Constitution’s requirement that such sessions be called only under “extraordinary” circumstances. However, Christopher Limbaugh rejected that argument in a ruling issued Friday. The decision clears one legal hurdle for the so-called “Missouri First” map, which redraws the state’s congressional boundaries in a way designed to allow Republicans to hold seven of Missouri’s eight seats in the U.S. House.

If the map ultimately survives all court challenges, it would significantly weaken the current Democratic stronghold in the 5th Congressional District, now represented by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City. Cleaver has voiced strong opposition to the redistricting plan.

Republicans currently hold six of Missouri’s eight seats in the U.S. House, while Democrats hold two.