Kansas Republicans Move to Erase Last Democratic Congressional Seat
The decision by Kansas Republicans to convene a special legislative session marks a crucial shift in the state’s congressional balance. Set for early November 2024, this gathering will focus on redrawing the congressional map with a straightforward goal: eliminating the last Democrat-held seat. The decision comes with a hefty price tag of $460,000.
This moment has garnered attention, particularly for its ambitious nature. As highlighted in a viral tweet, the move aims to ensure that the GOP can claim another seat in Congress, giving them a more substantial foothold ahead of the 2026 midterms.
At the center of this effort is Democratic Representative Sharice Davids, who has served Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District since 2019. This district encompasses urban areas like Johnson and Wyandotte counties, which have shown Democratic support in past elections. The surrounding region, however, remains firmly Republican, making it a target for redistricting.
Currently, Republicans control three of Kansas’s four congressional seats. Redrawing the district boundaries to favor the GOP could grant them a clean sweep. The likely plan includes altering Johnson County’s boundaries to weaken Davids’ voter base by incorporating more rural areas, thereby diluting the Democratic vote.
Philip Sarnecki, a hopeful for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, has openly endorsed this redistricting plan. “I am 100% in favor of redrawing the congressional map and adding a Republican seat in Congress,” he stated, indicating a direct link to support from Trump’s inner circle.
This redistricting effort diverges from the traditional decennial process tied to the U.S. Census. It follows a 2022 ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court, led by conservative Justice Caleb Stegall, which allows partisan factors in the drawing of districts. “The use of partisan factors in district line drawing is not constitutionally prohibited,” Stegall wrote, paving the way for Republicans’ current strategy.
To organize this special session, a two-thirds majority vote from both legislative chambers is necessary. Republicans currently hold supermajorities in both the Kansas House and Senate. Prominent figures like House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson have shown strong support for the initiative.
Masterson remarked, “If our congressional delegation, particularly our Republican delegation, is united behind it, I don’t see why we wouldn’t take it up,” emphasizing the importance of this redistricting in the political landscape.
The funding for the session’s operations, approved by the Republican-controlled Legislative Coordinating Council, allocates $460,000. A significant portion will go toward legislative operations, while the remainder is earmarked for redistricting software. Notably, the map-drawing process will rely on a national firm rather than local GOP expertise.
This strategy is part of broader national Republican efforts. States like Florida, Texas, and Missouri have seen similar mid-decade redistricting, where court rulings enable partisan legislatures to reclaim seats previously held by Democrats through targeted map adjustments.
Pressure from Trump allies to fortify Republican control ahead of the 2026 elections has pushed this Kansas initiative forward.
Despite this unified front, not every Republican is in agreement. Rep. Mark Schreiber from Emporia expressed skepticism during the rollout of the petition at a GOP retreat. “I’ve not heard a good reason yet to go back and redistrict,” he stated, raising concerns about the implications of changing the rules mid-game.
State Senator Brenda Dietrich has also cautioned against potential backlash, suggesting that moving forward without broader public support could lead to legal and political complications.
Democratic pushback is fierce. Governor Laura Kelly has made her opposition known, indicating she will likely veto the plan. However, with Republicans holding a supermajority, they may override her veto. Legal challenges to this effort seem inevitable. Representative Davids has criticized the move as a blatant power play meant to sideline Kansas voters. “Let’s be clear. Kansans deserve fair representation. Not backroom deals,” Davids asserted, emphasizing the need for voters to have their say in choosing their representatives.
The Kansas legislative Democrats have echoed these sentiments, accusing their Republican counterparts of squandering taxpayer resources during financially challenging times. “Without any public input, the GOP-led Legislative Coordinating Council just approved spending $460,000 of Kansas taxpayers’ money for a political stunt,” said House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, voicing concerns over prioritizing partisan maneuvers over constituents’ needs.
A significant consequence of this redistricting plan may be the disruption of communities that have been promised representation under the “community of interest” standard. Particularly in Johnson County, the strategy appears to involve breaking up its urban Democratic base and merging those voters with Republican strongholds in surrounding rural counties.
The 2022 Kansas Supreme Court decision upheld a previously engineered map that allowed Davids to retain her seat by a narrow margin. Now, Republicans are aiming to secure their advantage before the 2026 midterms.
While some within the GOP caution against the risks of undermining public trust in democratic processes, the proposed changes could add a much-needed seat to Republican representation in the House. This potential gain comes as the party braces for a contentious fight for control in 2026. The GOP’s ambition is clear in their united stance on redistricting, as encapsulated in a recent tweet urging red states to push forward in eliminating blue districts.
With November approaching, all eyes will be on Topeka. Whether this special session will yield another Republican seat or exacerbate divisions within the state remains uncertain.
"*" indicates required fields
