As one would expect, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Republican, supports the effort now underway to redistrict Missouri and add a GOP representative to the state's congressional contingent.
Noting that he has no role in composing the new map — "The Constitution gives this question squarely to the state Legislature and the governor" — Hawley said he fully supports the move.
"Would I like to have another Republican member of Congress?" Hawley said. "Well yeah, of course I would."
The GOP-controlled Missouri Legislature, at the behest of President Donald Trump, is redrawing the state's Congressional districts to make a Democratic victory unlikely in the Kansas City area.
If the plan is successful, Missouri would have a 7-1 split between Republican and Democratic House members, instead of the current 6-2 ratio.
Proposed Missouri redistricting map
Hawley discounted the idea that opponents of redistricting are driven by the fact the GOP is acting at a time other than after a new census.
Instead, Hawley said the reason behind the opposition is generally the same as the reason for supporting it.
"The opposition is political: The Democrats are afraid they might lose a (congressional) seat," Hawley said matter-of-factly.
"There are no districts that look like a salamander," Hawley said, referencing the origin of the political term in the early 1800s.Â
Democrats in the Missouri House have called the proposed new map an example of “hyperpartisan gerrymandering" done along racial lines.
Specifically targeted by the proposed new map is Kansas City's 5th Congressional District, a seat now held by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a Black Democrat who has represented the area since 2004.
Cleaver, who plans to run regardless of the outcome of the mapping moves, has said he would file suit if the existing boundaries of the district change.
Other opponents of the GOP move have said they are considering placing a referendum on the ballot to stop any changes.
"Bottom line, (redistricting) is the exercise of the state's prerogative," Hawley said. "Unequivocally, the state Legislature has the right to do this."
