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The redistricting wars continue, with both California Democrats and Texas Republicans moving ahead with their plans to redraw congressional maps in their favor. Golden State Gov. Gavin Newsom still has to get voters to approve his plan in November to go around the state’s independent commission and further gerrymander their already ridiculous maps, but Lone Star State Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas’ redrawing measure on Friday. Texas Dems have vowed to continue the battle in the courts.
Meanwhile, New York’s Kathy Hochul and Illinois’ JB Pritzker have also made noises about possibly joining the fray (but seriously, how much more could you possibly carve up Illinois?).
And as Bonchie wrote earlier in August, Missouri was considering joining the battle—and now they have, with the blessing of President Donald Trump.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Friday that he will convene the state’s General Assembly for a special session next week to redraw congressional maps as Republicans push to create more GOP-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Kehoe said in a statement outlining the move that for the special session starting Wednesday he is directing the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to “take action on redistricting” to ensure districts “truly put Missouri values first.”
Trump applauded the move:
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 29, 2025
The president’s message is long – you can read the full text here, but here it is in part:
GREAT Governor Mike Kehoe, of the Wonderful State of Missouri, which I love and won SIX times, including with 1.8 Million Votes in 2024 (by far the most Votes in History!), just called a very Special Session to begin passage of a new, much fairer, and much improved, Congressional Map, that will give the incredible people of Missouri the tremendous opportunity to elect an additional MAGA Republican in the 2026 Midterm Elections — A HUGE VICTORY for our America First Agenda, not just in the “Show-Me State,” but across our Nation…
THANK YOU MISSOURI – MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
