On the Trail

Missouri doesn’t have a marquee statewide race next year. But the results of some contests could be a big sign of a Democratic wave or continued GOP dominance.

Barring legal intervention, it’s looking more likely that Missourians will vote on the GOP's congressional map — meaning it could well not take effect for the 2026 election cycle.

The special session featured a number of unprecedented actions that would have been unthinkable before July when it became clear that Missouri would join other states overhauling their congressional lines.

Missouri Democrats have accused their GOP colleagues of kowtowing to President Donald Trump, who is pressuring Republican-led states to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Missouri Republican lawmakers seem to have all the leverage to redraw their congressional lines in September. But if they succeed, it could unleash a torrent of legal and political consequences.

St. Louis voters ousted two citywide officials but reelected Board of Aldermen incumbents.

Republican state Rep. Peggy McGaugh wants to allow someone to serve up to 16 years in either the House or the Senate. Currently, most legislators can serve up to eight years in the House and eight in the Senate.

The St. Louis County Council now has enough members who can regularly override County Executive Sam Page’s vetoes.

Schisms between GOP leadership and more conservative members have been an ongoing storyline in recent legislative history.

Missouri voters overwhelmingly elected Republicans but also approved ending the state’s abortion ban.