Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the state’s new congressional map into law, which is expected to grant Republicans an additional House seat in the 2026 midterm election. The legislation redraws district boundaries, splitting the Kansas City-area 5th District currently represented by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.

The revised map incorporates rural areas now held by Republican Reps. Bob Onder and Mark Alford into Cleaver’s district while redistributing other regions across the state. Kehoe praised the plan, stating it reflects “Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values” and ensures “true representation at all levels of government.”

The measure passed during a special session convened by Kehoe, aligning Missouri with Texas and California in a wave of partisan redistricting efforts linked to former President Donald Trump. Trump lauded the map as “FANTASTIC,” claiming it would secure an additional MAGA Republican seat in 2026.

The new boundaries target Cleaver’s district by shifting its focus eastward to include rural, right-leaning voters, potentially flipping his seat and giving Republicans a 7-1 majority in Missouri’s House delegation. Cleaver has threatened legal action against the law, warning that “if you fight fire with fire long enough, all you’re going to have left is ashes.”