By Michael Katz | Wednesday, 05 November 2025 04:56 PM EST
Republicans faced another setback on Tuesday as the GOP-led Kansas Legislature halted its push to redraw the state’s congressional map. The decision prevented the potential addition of a Republican seat, weakening the party’s already narrow House majority.
Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, stated that he failed to secure sufficient support from the Republican caucus to convene a special session on redistricting, according to the Washington Examiner. A planned special session for Friday aimed to bypass Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly’s refusal to call one.
President Donald Trump has prioritized redrawing congressional maps in GOP-controlled states as part of his agenda. States like Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio have already created up to nine additional Republican-leaning seats, with Kansas poised to add another.
Meanwhile, California voters approved a ballot initiative granting Democrats temporary control over the state’s congressional map, stripping authority from an independent redistricting commission until 2031. The measure faces legal challenges and could counterbalance some of the gains Republicans sought through Trump’s redistricting efforts.
Hawkins’ decision does not end Kansas’ redistricting plans permanently. Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, emphasized that redistricting would remain a “top priority” during the Legislature’s regular annual session in January, citing the GOP’s supermajority and ability to override Kelly’s veto.
“President Trump asked Republicans to fight for fair maps and for America’s future,” Masterson said. “We did our part — and we’ll keep leading the charge here in Kansas.”
