RNC, NRCC sue to defend Missouri congressional map

The Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee filed a lawsuit Thursday to defend Missouri's new congressional map.

The RNC told Fox News Digital the suit seeks to intervene as Democrats pursue what Republicans call a national effort to block redistricting laws passed by state legislatures.

"Democrats across the country are using frivolous lawsuits to cling to power after failing at the ballot box," RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement. "The RNC is fighting for the values of Missourians against Democrats trying to use the courts to rig congressional districts in their favor and override the will of voters."

The RNC said the map, passed by the Missouri General Assembly last year, meets all requirements of the state constitution. Opponents have argued in court that the plan violates provisions of the Missouri Constitution.

"The people of Missouri deserve fair and equal representation, not a partisan power grab designed to silence voters and overturn a lawfully enacted map," NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson said.

"The NRCC and RNC are standing up for the integrity of the democratic process and defending Missourians' right to have their voices heard under fair congressional districts," he added.

The lawsuit was filed as referendum organizers and other opponents seek court action on petitions that would let Missouri voters decide whether to restore the state's previous map. Republicans argue that certification should not occur until the state's signature-verification process is complete.

According to the RNC, certifying the referendum before that review finishes could temporarily block the new map from taking effect.

The suit asks the court to let the review process continue and to require that election laws be followed before any referendum advances.

The RNC said Democrats and allied groups have already spent more than $6 million on unsuccessful court challenges to the Missouri maps.

The case follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that found Louisiana's 2024 congressional map, which added a second majority-Black district, amounted to an illegal racial gerrymander. Supporters of the Missouri map say the decision limits the use of race in redistricting and leaves state legislatures broad authority to draw districts based on political preferences.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the new map into law last year. Republicans say it could give the GOP an additional U.S. House seat in the 2026 midterms. Critics say the map was drawn to increase Republican advantage and reduce the influence of some communities of interest, claims map supporters reject.

President Donald Trump praised the map in a Truth Social post, calling it "FANTASTIC" and saying it would "help send an additional MAGA Republican to Congress in the 2026 Midterm Elections."