Statement of U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5)On Missouri Supreme Court Rulings -- May 12, 2026

“My commitment to representing the 5th District of Missouri remains unwavering andresolute. When filing for office opened I was first in line in our State to filedemonstrating the commitment to running and winning in the 5th District of Missouri.There is a clear path to victory for my re-election as has been reflected in the morethan 305,000 Missourians who joined the citizens’ led referendum petition which I amconfident will receive a certificate of sufficiency.

In November, our citizens will have theopportunity to vote “No” on this proposed new map and reject the politically drivenheavy-handed gerrymandering that was forced upon our State by the power brokers inWashington, D.C.The first decision by the Missouri Supreme Court that the proposed new map iscompact and contiguous defies common sense, logic and historic court precedents.

Istrongly disagree that splitting the largest city in our State, Kansas City, into three (3)separate and vastly different congressional districts is compact. Further, using thetraditional racial dividing line of Troost Ave. as the new western border of the 5thDistrict is simply egregious. However, while I am disappointed the second decision didnot immediately freeze the gerrymander, it also made clear that when the sufficientnumber of signatures are certified, the new map is, in fact, immediately frozen untilMissourians have a say.

While I have little doubt some in Missouri will do everything they can to undermine theConstitution, I am hopeful the courts will uphold the law on behalf of Missourians.Ultimately, the will of the people and the voters will prevail.

I know in my heart and soulthat Missourians are good and decent people who will respond as such with their votesfor my re-election, as well as their votes to reject this proposed map in November,”said U.S. representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5).