The husband of a Republican candidate for Missouri Senate chairs an organization steadfastly opposed to President Trump’s efforts to level the electoral playing field through congressional redistricting.
Current Rep. Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, is running for term-limited Republican state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer’s seat, whose District 34 encompasses Platte County and part of Buchanan.
Meanwhile, her husband Charlie Shields is chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce – which Friday issued a statement on “Preserving Kansas City’s Congressional Representation.”
In particular, the statement demands a hands-off approach to the Kansas City-area’s 5th Congressional District, now represented by diehard Democrat Emanuel Cleaver.
“The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City oppose any effort to redraw Missouri’s congressional districts in a way that divides the Kansas City region – particularly proposals that would dismantle Missouri’s 5th Congressional District,” the statement reads in part.
“We urge elected officials from all parties to support the regular redistricting schedule and to reject proposals that would allow unnecessary changes.”
Conservatives and Republicans might find that an odd proposition associated with the family of a GOP Senate candidate – especially given Cleaver’s far-left voting record.
In recent years, Cleaver has earned grades of:
- 0% from the Campaign for Working Families
- 0% from the Family Policy Alliance
- 0% from the National Right to Life Committee
- 0% from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
- 13% from Democrats for Life of America
- 100% from the pro-abortion NARAL Pro-Choice America
In addition, Cleaver has a 6% lifetime score from Heritage Action for America and a 3.91 rating out of 100 from the CPAC Center for Legislative Accountability.
One site rated Cleaver Missouri’s second-most liberal member of Congress next to former far-left “Squad” member Cori Bush.
The Heartlander reached out to Rep. Shields, asking her what her position is on redistricting; whether she agrees with the position of the Chamber her husband chairs; and why Republicans would oppose redistricting in a red state when Democrats have gerrymandered Republicans to no representation – or representation vastly short of the Republican population – in most blue states.
The Heartlander also asked why Republicans would want the 5th District to remain inviolate, given Cleaver’s 94.58 lifetime rating from the “Progressive Punch — Leading from the Left.”
