KANSAS CITY, MO — On Thursday, September 4, a broad coalition led by People NOT Politicians – Missouri gathered alongside members of the Kansas City community at the Van Brunt Athletic Complex to denounce Governor Mike Kehoe’s unconstitutional effort to redraw Missouri’s congressional districts in the middle of the decade—a move they say is designed for blatant political gain and at the expense of community representation.
The press conference took place at a symbolic location where three of the newly proposed congressional districts would intersect. Under the governor’s proposed map, Kansas City would be split across three congressional districts, dismantling the current 5th District and redistributing its residents into the 4th and 6th Districts—potentially forcing communities in urban Kansas City to be represented by elected officials over 250 miles away near the Iowa and Illinois borders.
Rep. Wick Thomas (District 19) shared the stark impact of the proposed changes on local representation:
“As an elected official I know how important it is to know and represent your community. I am reminded of that at every community meeting I host, every door I knock, and every request for assistance I receive from a constituent. Under this proposed map I could be combined with the farmers of Northeastern Missouri over 250 miles away. That is not representation. They, and I, deserve better. My House district would be split in three and all my constituents would see their political power threatened. I will stand against this power grab because it would harm this beautiful neighborhood I am so proud to represent.”
Lovell Holloway, Board Chair of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the broader economic stakes for the entire region:
“Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city and a key driver of our state’s economy. To keep attracting investment and advancing opportunity, we need a unified voice in Congress—not a fractured one. This isn’t just about the urban core; suburban and rural communities across the state also lose when Kansas City is divided. Whether it’s agriculture, housing, or tech, all Missourians benefit from fair and stable representation. Splitting Kansas City weakens our collective power. Keeping us together strengthens Missouri as a whole.”
Edgar Palacios, Founder of Revolución Educativa, underscored how redistricting threatens to silence Kansas City’s immigrant and diverse populations:
“This neighborhood has long been home to immigrant communities and is one of the most diverse communities in our state. It is critical that communities such as this are unified so they can speak with one clear voice. This proposed map is a threat to our community power and we will resist being used as political pawns in someone else’s game.”
Bishop Donna Simon of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) emphasized the ethical and moral implications of the redistricting plan:
“As the Bishop of Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America I am responsible for the well being of Lutherans in 150 faith communities in Missouri and Kansas. In that capacity, I consider most actions with the perspective of whose benefit does this serve. I view this as an attack on our most vulnerable communities, especially working people and our Black and Brown neighbors whose political power will be diminished. I must therefore lend my voice against it because it does not advance the cause of justice and an ethic of community.”
Ashley Sadowski, a Kansas City Public Schools parent, expressed concerns over the harmful educational impact:
“As a parent in KC Public Schools, I want our students to have resources and support at all levels of our government. This map would slice our school district into 3 different congressional districts, denying our children the unified voice they deserve in D.C. Whoever drew this map might have understood political calculations, but do they think this is fair to our kids?”
The redrawn congressional map threatens to splinter Kansas City’s cohesive communities and combine them with vastly different rural regions, weakening the collective voice of urban Missourians on issues ranging from education and healthcare to infrastructure and public safety.
Community leaders called the plan a blatant attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes while disenfranchising thousands of Kansas Citizans.
The event was part of a broader effort by People NOT Politicians – Missouri to shine a light on the urgent need for fair, transparent, and independent redistricting processes that respect the integrity of Missouri communities—not political convenience.
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