A Missouri judge has ruled that Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe acted within his constitutional authority when he convened the special legislative session that led to the state’s newly redrawn congressional map.
Lawmakers used the August session to adjust district boundaries in a move expected to strengthen Republican representation.
The Missouri NAACP filed suit in September seeking to block the session, arguing that the Missouri Constitution permits special sessions only for “extraordinary occasions” and that Kehoe’s justification did not meet that threshold.
Judge Christopher Limbaugh rejected that claim, concluding the governor possesses broad constitutional discretion to determine what qualifies as an extraordinary occasion.
Article IV, Section 9 of the Missouri Constitution states that “on extraordinary occasions,” the governor may convene the General Assembly by proclamation and specify which matters lawmakers may address.
Kehoe issued that proclamation on Aug. 29, 2025.
The governor directed legislators to focus on congressional redistricting and revisions to Missouri’s initiative petition process.
Legal Battles Continue Over New Map
The resulting congressional map now faces multiple legal challenges.
Analysts say the new lines could shift Missouri’s U.S. House delegation to a 7-to-1 Republican majority.
Republicans currently hold six of the state’s eight congressional seats.
The ruling arrives amid a broader national fight over redistricting as both parties seek to secure control of the House.
Two weeks earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed California to proceed with its newly drawn congressional map for this year’s midterm elections.
The decision is viewed as favorable to Democrats.
Voters approved California’s map after Democrat lawmakers in Sacramento moved to counter a Republican-friendly redistricting plan in Texas backed by President Donald Trump as part of an effort to protect the GOP’s narrow House majority.
In an unsigned order, the Supreme Court rejected an emergency request from the California Republican Party to block the map.
State Republicans argued the lines were unconstitutional because race, rather than politics, drove the process.
A lower federal court had already dismissed that claim.
The decision followed the Court’s earlier ruling allowing Texas to move forward with its own redistricting plan.
It is fueling what observers describe as a nationwide redistricting battle with significant implications for the balance of power in Washington.
READ MORE – Obama Judge Releases 4 Dangerous Illegal Aliens from ICE Custody
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.