A state court has upheld Missouri’s new congressional map, rejecting lawsuits claiming the redistricting plan was unconstitutional.
A Jackson County judge ruled completely in favor of the state Thursday, rejecting two lawsuits attempting to throw out the Missouri FIRST map. The 2025 plan was ruled constitutional and will remain in place for the upcoming 2026 elections.
FULL VICTORY: A Jackson County Judge has thrown out a left-wing attempt to overturn the Missouri FIRST Map.
The Missouri FIRST Map remains the law of the land, fair, and constitutional.
Not done winning yet.
— Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway (@AGCHanaway) March 12, 2026
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway secured the judgment against what she described as a left-wing attempt to throw out the Missouri First map.
“This ruling is a complete victory for Missouri and for the people’s elected representatives,” Hanaway said. “Thanks to the hard work of our legal team, the Missouri FIRST Map stands, the rule of law is vindicated and Missouri voters can have confidence that their legislature’s work has been upheld.”
The judgment says the map follows state and local legislative boundaries more closely and unifies the Kansas City Northland.
Solicitor General Lou Capozzi noted the U.S. and Missouri constitutions expressly empower the General Assembly to enact congressional plans.
“Judge Caine rightfully reaffirms that principle, ensuring that the people’s elected representatives — and not experts bankrolled by dark money — make the rules governing elections,” Capozzi said.
Gov. Mike Kehoe praised the attorney general’s office for its work on the case.
“Appreciate the efforts of [Attorney General Catherine Hanaway] and her Solicitor General team in defending Missouri’s congressional map in court,” Kehoe posted on X. “Missouri’s conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government, and the Missouri First Map delivers just that.”
The legal challenge centered on the map’s division of the Jackson County portion of Kansas City, fracturing the 5th District currently held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.
Plaintiffs argued rural voters shouldn’t be in the same district as urban voters, but the court rejected this. Splitting up cities is a political decision best left to the General Assembly, according to the court.
Republican Rep. Mark Alford currently represents the 4th district and will see his boundaries shift under the new plan. He praised the court’s decision on social media.
“The Missouri First Map stands, and I look forward to representing constituents in the ‘New 4th,’ from the cornfields of Camden County to the urban core of Kansas City,” Alford said.
He added the court ruled what proponents have long known about the map’s constitutionality.
“With the dismissal of frivolous challenges from progressive activists, we’re one step closer to ensuring the Show-Me State’s conservative values are adequately represented in Congress,” Alford said.
The attorney general’s office said it will continue to defend Missouri law from attacks funded by out-of-state dark money.
