Missouri 5th District

Missouri lawmakers redrew the state’s congressional lines in 2025, in an attempt to oust Kansas City Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and add a Republican seat to the U.S. House. But after a successful petition campaign, the new map was blocked from taking effect for this election, and voters in November will decide whether to approve or reject it.

This is the third time the high court has stymied efforts to implement a map aimed at ousting Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II for this November's election.

A federal appeals court has again sided with Missouri Republicans, ruling the state must use the GOP-leaning congressional map passed by lawmakers last year. Plus: how new limits on federal student loans are impacting future physicians in Kansas.

After the Missouri and U.S. Supreme Courts ruled that Missourians must vote with maps drawn in 2022, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II is running for reelection in the same district he won with more than 60% of the vote. He'll face Republican state Sen. Rick Brattin.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that using 2022 congressional lines for the upcoming election violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.

The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals is deciding whether to order the November election to be held in the same district lines used for the primary. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled a referendum made that map, drawn in 2025 to benefit Republicans, has no legal effect.

The legal back-and-forth over Missouri's congressional maps is unprecedented in American politics. Current 5th District U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and his Republican opponent, state Sen. Rick Brattin, share their thoughts on what transpired in the courts — and what it may mean for November.

On Nov. 3, voters in Kansas and Missouri will decide multiple consequential ballot issues — including on abortion access and gerrymandering. They'll also vote for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and other offices from the governor down to the local level.

Missouri's Secretary of State informed local election authorities on Thursday to use the 2022 map, a reversal of his previous directions to election clerks.

The U.S. Supreme Court has halted a temporary restraining order issued this week that only allowed Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to use a Trump-backed map lawmakers drew in 2025.

Instead of defending the state high court’s ruling that a referendum on redistricting means using the congressional map from 2024, Catherine Hanaway’s office is asking for a reversal.

The Missouri Supreme Court's ruling means the congressional map from 2022 will be in place for the November general election, giving longtime Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II a stronger chance to keep his seat.