The Missouri redistricting battle intensified Tuesday as the state Supreme Court signaled it may hold Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt amid dueling court orders over which congressional map to use.
Hoskins, a Republican, said he will continue using the congressional districts adopted in 2025, despite a U.S. Supreme Court action that left in place a Missouri Supreme Court order requiring the state to revert to its previous districts.
“I look forward to my day in court,” Hoskins posted on X, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Missouri redistricting battle heads to contempt hearing
The court ordered Hoskins to appear Thursday to explain why he should not be held in contempt for directing local election officials to use the 2025 map in defiance of a state injunction.
Last week, Missouri’s high court blocked the new, Trump-backed map after thousands of voters submitted a petition triggering a statewide referendum on whether to keep it.
Conflicting rulings fuel uncertainty
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh declined to grant Hoskins an emergency stay, leaving the state court’s injunction in effect. Shortly after, U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark issued a temporary restraining order that bars Missouri from using any map other than the 2025 districts, creating a direct conflict between state and federal directives.
Opponents of the new plan promptly moved to appeal Clark’s order to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. “An individual federal judge cannot overrule the Missouri Supreme Court,” said attorney Chuck Hatfield, who represents People Not Politicians, the group behind the referendum petition.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said the state would comply with Clark’s order, which she argued requires the use of the 2025 map. She also wrote on X that changing the congressional map between the primary and general elections is not feasible and would be unfair to voters.
High stakes for control of Congress
The Missouri redistricting battle is part of a broader national push by Republicans to pursue mid-decade redraws to gain U.S. House seats. Missouri currently sends six Republicans and two Democrats to the House.
Under the contested plan, one Democratic seat, held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, would be eliminated.
