SCOTUS tells Missouri to use 2022 map; other federal judge says use 2025 map

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri voters — and state politicians — received conflicting orders Tuesday following actions from the Supreme Court and a federal district court judge in St. Louis.

Tuesday afternoon, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh denied Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ request to suspend the Missouri Supreme Court's decision to block the state's new congressional map.

Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sought an appeal to use Missouri’s new districts in November.

Kavanaugh’s decision means the 2022 map will be in effect.

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But minutes after Kavanaugh announced the decision, a federal district court judge in St. Louis issued a temporary restraining order calling on Hoskins to use the 2025 congressional map in November.

People Not Politicians Missouri filed an emergency notice of appeal to the district court judge's ruling, calling on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to overturn the judge's order. The case stems from a filing by U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (R-Missouri) and Rick Brattin, a state senator and congressional candidate.

"Missouri is prepared to follow and comply with Chief Judge Clark's order that binds the state to using the Missouri First map for the November General Election," Hanaway said in a statement. "We appreciate Judge Clark's support of the rights of Missouri voters, and intend to comply with this federal ruling. We maintain that changing the congressional map in between the primary and general elections is simply not feasible and profoundly unjust to Missouri voters."

Hoskins responded by saying he's proven his promise to never stop fighting for Missourians.

"This victory halts a full-on constitutional crisis," Hoskins said. "It ensures the candidates Missourians nominated in the August primary election are the same candidates running in the same congressional districts they will vote on in the November general election. This is a win for Missouri and a win for constitutional conservativism and I am proud to lead this charge."

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe also expressed his gratitude for the St. Louis judge.

"Voters and candidates deserve consistency, certainty, and not to have the rules changed between elections," Kehoe said.

Critics say the new map unfairly targets the 5th District, which Democrat Emanuel Cleaver has won for two decades. Republican challenger Brattin says he's glad the Missouri First map will be used for the general election.

"The stakes are high for our nation in the upcoming election and I look forward to continuing to campaign across the 5th District, where I know many voters feel like it’s time to send eleven-term incumbent Emanuel Cleaver home," Brattin said.

People Not Politicians held a virtual press call Tuesday evening to discuss the events of the day. Chuck Hatfield, an attorney for the group, argued the St. Louis judge does not have authority to overrule the Missouri Supreme Court.

He also said the group does not believe election offices should use the 2025 map in November.

“They will be in contempt of an order of the Missouri Supreme Court if they do,” Hatfield said. “Judge Clark’s order does not say that the Missouri Supreme Court order is lifted.”

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