I’m writing this message directly to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe as an elected representative of the people of Missouri — Democrat, Republican and anything in between — bearing the responsibility to protect and amplify the voices of my constituents, especially those who have historically been marginalized. I am gravely concerned by recent efforts to pursue mid-term redistricting that would dilute Black representation and disenfranchise Black voters across our state.
As governor, you have affirmed your role as a leader for all Missourians. That commitment must not waver, particularly at a time when the integrity of our democratic system and civil rights hang in the balance. These proposed redistricting efforts risk eroding not only the foundational trust between government and citizen, but also your own promise to lead with fairness and equality.
Missouri is not immune to the historical consequences of voter suppression. We have seen, time and again, that when the voices of Black communities are silenced, there is not only moral outrage but economic response, civic unrest and legal challenge.
History is clear: When injustice is legislated, African Americans have responded not just with protest, but with powerful economic action. From the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, where sustained economic withdrawal forced desegregation of public transportation, to the boycott of Mississippi businesses during the Civil Rights movement, to more recent nationwide economic protests in response to systemic injustice, Black communities have demonstrated the strength, strategy and success of unified economic resistance. These efforts have cost cities millions in revenue and forced leaders to reconsider unjust policies. Missouri is not exempt from this historical pattern and should not underestimate the resolve or economic influence of its Black citizens and their allies.
Furthermore, this attempt to redraw district lines for political gain, outside of the normal decennial process, can be likened to the reckless defiance of democratic norms once displayed by Confederate generals during the Civil War — those who betrayed national unity for racial and political dominance.
Even more pointedly, the principle at the heart of this issue, — representation — is the very cause for which the American Revolution was fought. “No taxation without representation” was not just a slogan, it was a demand for human dignity and political fairness. To ignore that lesson now would be to betray the soul of our state and the spirit of this nation. The same principle that founded this nation is now at risk of being undermined in our own state.
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” — Proverbs 14:31
These words call us to govern with humility, truth and justice. They challenge us to consider how we treat our neighbors, particularly in times of political tension. As leaders, we are judged not only by what we accomplish, but by how we respond when it is inconvenient to stand for what is right.
Any attempt to redraw our state’s political boundaries outside of the regular census cycle, and in a manner that disproportionately impacts Black Missourians, will face both constitutional scrutiny and moral opposition. I believe that every action carries weight, and history has shown us that efforts to marginalize voters have never stood unchallenged.
President Trump’s extreme partisan gerrymandering plan undermines the very foundation of our democracy. By manipulating Missouri’s congressional lines to favor one political party, you are not only betraying the principle of fair representation but also actively working to silence the voices of Black Missourians and those of millions of voters who deserve to be heard.
Governor, you now face a critical decision — not just as Missouri’s chief executive, but as a man who has vowed to lead with integrity. We urge you to reject any effort that seeks to suppress representation or compromise the democratic process. Instead, stand on the side of history that affirms our state’s dignity and defends the voice of all its people.
I pray that your faith guides your actions and that you’ll enshrine your legacy as a defender of the people, the state of Missouri and its constitutional principles.
Rep. LaKeySha Bosley represents Missouri’s 79th District.
Rep. Bosley must also understand there are unseen mechanisms at-play where seeds of hate have been sown and puppets might have been put in place long ago in order to erode unity and trust, in place of racial and political dominance as she so poignantly wrote. I pray for her and all those standing up to tyranny in its face.
I too have reached out asking the current Missouri Government to do what is right and fair for all the citizens of our state. There are good people in both parties. Let’s hope they vote on behalf of all their constituents not just one party.
This attempt at redistricting echoes a redistricting that went bad 90 years ago when Republicans feared dominance by the Democrats. In the 1930s, it took five years from 1931 until late 1935 to redraw the districts. Back then, the Republicans already list the White House and Congress. By 1934, they lost the executive branch in Missouri. Republicans lost the legislature in 1920. Now, the Republicans want to do it again, now to save their razor thin majority in the U.S. House. It is not only constitutionally wrong, but a breach in moral and realistic ethics that ALL Missouri residents should have. I wish that Republicans would go back and read their history books and realize that all Missourians should be heard, no matter what race, religion or sex that they are.
Yes, Governor Kehoe please
consider ALL of Missourians!
Don’t follow Trump’s lead, he is corrupt and shows signs of dementia.
How about the fact that he reversed the will of the voters regarding sick pay and reproductive rights!! I’m sick of all the rural areas dominating St. Louis and KC with all of their backward ways. We are the population centers of the state. The far right must be stopped.