The RNC and NRCC filed suit to intervene in legal challenges to Missouri’s newly enacted congressional map and to prevent early certification of a referendum until the state’s signature-verification process is complete. Party leaders say the move counters what they call coordinated Democratic lawsuits aimed at overturning a lawfully enacted map. The lawsuit also cites a recent Supreme Court ruling on racial gerrymandering as relevant legal context. Supporters argue the map is constitutional and could help Republicans gain a House seat in 2026; critics call it a partisan gerrymander.
RNC and NRCC Sue to Defend Missouri’s New Congressional Map, Seek to Block Early Referendum Certification
Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters is claiming victory over Democrat efforts to block efforts to kick noncitizens skipping out of North Carolina jury duty from the state's voter rolls.(Getty Images)
The Republican National Committee (RNC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) filed a lawsuit Thursday asking a court to intervene in legal challenges to Missouri’s newly enacted congressional map. The committees say the suit is intended to protect the map from what they describe as coordinated Democratic efforts to overturn redistricting laws passed through the state legislature.
"Democrats across the country are using frivolous lawsuits to cling to power after failing at the ballot box," RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement. "The RNC is fighting for the values of Missourians against Democrats trying to use the courts to rig congressional districts in their favor and override the will of voters."
The RNC maintains the map, approved by the Missouri General Assembly last year and signed into law by Gov. Mike Kehoe, complies with the state constitution. Opponents have filed challenges in court, arguing the plan violates state constitutional provisions and unfairly dilutes the influence of certain communities.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe applauds while delivering the State of the State address in Jefferson City, Mo., on Jan. 28, 2025.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed
The Republican suit seeks to ensure Missouri’s signature-verification process for a proposed referendum is completed before any certification that could place the referendum on the ballot. Party lawyers argue that prematurely certifying a referendum could temporarily block implementation of the new map and interfere with election law procedures.
"The people of Missouri deserve fair and equal representation, not a partisan power grab designed to silence voters and overturn a lawfully enacted map," NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson said. "The NRCC and RNC are standing up for the integrity of the democratic process and defending Missourians’ right to have their voices heard under fair congressional districts."
Legal Context and Reactions
The lawsuit comes after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, in which the justices ruled 6-3 that Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map — redrawn to create a second majority-Black district — constituted an unlawful racial gerrymander. Supporters of Missouri’s plan point to that decision as a restraint on race-based map drawing, while voting-rights advocates and legal experts offer differing interpretations of its broader impact.
Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri waits to speak against a proposed congressional redistricting plan at a state Senate committee hearing in Jefferson City, Mo., on Sept. 11, 2025.
The RNC also claims Democrats and allied groups have spent more than $6 million on unsuccessful legal challenges to Missouri’s maps. Republican backers say the new map could help the GOP gain an additional U.S. House seat in 2026; critics say the plan was designed to increase Republican advantage and diminish the influence of some communities of interest.
When Gov. Kehoe signed the map last year, former President Donald Trump praised the plan on Truth Social, calling it "FANTASTIC" and saying it would "help send an additional MAGA Republican to Congress in the 2026 Midterm Elections."
Fox News Digital reporters Breanne Deppisch, Paul Steinhauser and Deirdre Heavey contributed to the report.
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