Tag Archives: gerrymandering

Rick Brattin (r) slept through his civics class

25 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress

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“…The Eighth Circuit’s application of Purcell was incorrect…” – People Not Politicians v. Onder, U.S. Supreme Court, September 25, 2026

Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

This evening:

Rick Brattin for Congress
[September 25, 2026]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
Statement from Rick Brattin on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – State Senator Rick Brattin has released the following statement about today’s ruling:

“I am grateful to the Eighth Circuit for squarely addressing the merits of this case and stating plainly what common sense and the Constitution require: voters should not choose their nominees under one congressional map and then be forced into entirely different districts for the general election.

Today’s Supreme Court decision is a travesty for Missouri voters and for the integrity of our elections. Missouri will now conduct a congressional primary under one map and a general election under another. Voters who lawfully participated in the August primary will be moved into districts where they had no voice in choosing the nominees who will appear on their ballot in November. This is the most unprecedented form of voter disenfranchisement in American history, and Missouri voters deserve far better.

The responsibility for this chaos rests first and foremost with the Missouri Supreme Court. With the stroke of a pen, it overturned a congressional map passed by the people’s elected legislature and signed by the Governor after that map had already been used to conduct the primary election. The Eighth Circuit recognized the serious constitutional problem that decision created. Missouri voters are now being forced to live with the consequences.

This is part of a dangerous pattern of courts asserting power that belongs to the people and their elected representatives. Judges are not kings, and courts are not legislatures. Our system of government depends upon each branch respecting the constitutional authority of the others. The Missouri Supreme Court abandoned that principle in this case, usurped the authority of Missouri’s duly elected legislative and executive branches, and left Missouri voters paying the price.”

Some of the responses:

Bye Felicia, I mean Rick.

You left this part out where SCOTUS made clear this was Hoskin’s fault.

Our prayers have been answered. It must be God’s will.

We see what you did there.

The MO Constitution allows citizens to challenge through referendum any bills passed by the legislature. Hoskins tried to weasel around this constitutional provision by ignoring the MO Supreme Court. If you are unhappy about what has happened, blame falls on Hoskins.

The supreme court effed us.

Please explain how a U.S. Supreme Court with a 6-3 right wingnut majority which includes three Trump appointees is so totally biased against your interpretation of the Constitution.

Responsibility for this chaos solely rests on Denny “the clown” Hoskins and crew. Glad the Supreme Court did the correct thing.

Rick Brattin for Congress maybe follow the Constitution for once and stop forcing things on the people.
You think this is bad wait till we all organize and get to the breaking point.

I’ll summarize this for everyone: I’m butthurt because we politicians can’t pick our voters instead of them picking us.

That’s it.

Just update your resume playa. It’s fine

If this is really how you interpret this whole process, you shouldn’t be anywhere near the halls of Congress.

You can’t even cheat your way to DC.

Where is your statement responding to the GOP asking for a redo on a candidate cause they want to ditch you?

Solely on Denny Hoskins!

This right wingnut overreach fail has many cooks.

Senator Brattin’s statement gets the facts backwards. The chaos Missouri voters are now facing traces directly to the actions of Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, not the Missouri Supreme Court.
When opponents of the 2025 GOP-drawn map gathered enough signatures to force a referendum, Hoskins waited until the legal deadline to act, then rejected the referendum outright, arguing that redistricting plans aren’t subject to the referendum process at all, a position Missouri courts ultimately did not accept. The Missouri Supreme Court had already ruled in May that qualifying the referendum would suspend the 2025 map, yet the court found Hoskins proceeded with the GOP map in the August primaries anyway, even though it hadn’t been approved by voters.
That’s not a court “overturning” a legislative map with “the stroke of a pen.” It’s a Secretary of State ignoring the plain terms of Article III, Section 52 of the Missouri Constitution, which reserves to the people the power to approve or reject laws passed by the General Assembly through referendum. Hoskins’ office made the call that this constitutional referendum right didn’t apply to redistricting, and the courts said otherwise.
The consequences of that decision escalated further: the Missouri Supreme Court held Hoskins in contempt for failing to comply with its ruling that the 2025 map had to be put on hold while the referendum took place, and he was found in contempt a second time in September for directing local election authorities to use the new map after a court order barred it. Two separate contempt findings against a sitting Secretary of State for defying the state’s highest court is not “judicial overreach.” It’s a public official refusing to follow the law as written in Missouri’s own Constitution.
If Missouri voters are now facing a primary under one map and a general election under another, that is the direct result of Hoskins’s office gambling that it could run out the clock on a valid referendum rather than following the Missouri Constitution’s requirements. The responsibility for this “unprecedented” situation belongs with the Secretary of State who created it, not the court that repeatedly told him to follow the law.

So Rick doesn’t want to have to follow the law. What a pathetic loser.

The people should sue the mo supreme court

Slept through the same civics class with Rick.

A Travesty? Sorry pretty boy. This was a mostly conservative court who voted unanimously. The Travesty is Missouris SS @ AG Trying to go against the will of the people. Come November it will won’t happen again.

Cry more. You guys brought this on yourselves.

Time to update that Indeed.com Resume Rick. You’re gonna have to get a real job like the rest of us 🤷‍♂️

Hey cry baby, play by the rules. The Missouri Supreme Court said you couldn’t use the map until it was voted on by the people of Missouri, but you did it anyway. Now suffer the consequences for your action.

No Rick this only a travesty for all you maga cult followers. You know can’t win now.

Here’s one for you Rick, the legislature listens to the people of Missouri. Period. If you can’t read the constitution you have no business serving in the legislature. You and your party started this mess and lost by your own doing. Thank God for the Missouri Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. These little side courts need to go back to school.

The redistributed map should have never been done in the first place.

It’s over Rick. You lose.

Wrong. It’s Denny Hoskins fault.
I used to respect you and Hoskins but both of you are an embarassment to our state. Maybe look at this at what can be learned rather than try to shift blame.

Hoskins, Hannaway, and Kehoe purposely created this chaos and ignored the constitution. They tried to disenfranchise voters, wasted tax dollars, and forced an illegal map for political gain at the request of the POTUS. Every single elected official who participated in this stunt needs to be removed from office.

Glad your illegal gerrymandering was defeated.

“travesty” of your own making. 🙄 spare me

And you aren’t the dictator! Now get out and pick up the campaign signs in areas where they do not belong and take a seat in the back of the bus. You and your cronies are no longer driving.

You’ve got this wrong. Responsibility for this debacle rests squarely on governor Kehoe.

Rick, you are as sick as the rest that caused this mess.

What is wrong with you?

Moron, none of this would have been necessary if you and your moron buddies in Jeff City had just done your jobs in the first place. Moron.

Maybe we should have gotten to vote on your map you are so proud of..instead of you and your buddies deciding what we needed

LMAO.
Such a sad story, Trumper. Maybe you should have tried “conservative.” Good luck. Wish I could vote in your district!

cheaters always cheat ricky

The responsibility for this chaos rests first and foremost with SoS Hoskins who ignored the Missouri Constitution and tried unsuccessfully to impost his partisan views into the voting process. His job was NEVER to interpret the Missouri Constitution but to perform his job of certifying the signatures presented to him.
I do so hope you lose because you clearly do not understand the law.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rick Brattin is a loser.
[….]

Trying to rig an election is wrong, and un-American!

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)

Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)

Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)

Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)

Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)

Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 10, 2026)

So sad (September 10, 2026)

Judicial contempt has a way of making one focus (September 11, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and friends whiff at the U.S. Supreme Court (September 25, 2026)

A paragraph for Missouri history (September 25, 2026)

A paragraph for Missouri history

25 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor

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Cutting it a little close, and well past the time it should have been settled, we will use the 2022 Congressional District map in Missouri for the 2026 general election.

“…The Eighth Circuit’s application of Purcell was incorrect. Even though “federal courts should not impose changes close to an election, States are free to decide for themselves whether last-minute changes to an election are in their best imposed by federal law. [….] Moreover, in this case, the Missouri Supreme Court was not responsible for the late-breaking changes. On the contrary, in an opinion back in May 2026, well before the primary election, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that the 2025 map would not take effect until approved by the voters in an intervening referendum, at least if the referendum petition was legally sufficient. [….] So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary…” – People Not Politicians v. Onder, U.S. Supreme Court, September 25, 2026

Denny Hoskins (r) [2023 file photo]

We likes this so much, let’s highlight the detail again.

“…So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary…”

Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

Somebody did swing a bat today. It wasn’t Denny Hoskins (r).

It gets better.

…In short, as a matter of state law, the 2022 map—not the 2025 map—must be used in the 2026 congressional election…

…In the wake of that recent Missouri Supreme Court decision, a group of voters and candidates (collectively, plaintiffs) sued in federal court. They contended that the U. S. Constitution requires Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 election—even though the 2025 map cannot take effect under Missouri law unless and until it is approved by Missouri voters in the 2026 election.

In two orders in the last few weeks, this Court has denied such relief. In the first, the Missouri Secretary of State asked this Court to stay the September 3 decision of the Missouri Supreme Court that had prohibited use of the 2025 map in the general election. On September 8, JUSTICE KAVANAUGH, in his capacity as Circuit Justice for the Eighth Circuit, denied that request, thereby leaving the 2022 map in effect for the 2026 general election…

Denny Hoskins (r) is famous notorious!

…The Purcell principle applies with even greater force here. The election is not merely upcoming; it has already started. Ballots using the 2022 map have been printed and mailed. Absentee voting has already begun, as has military and overseas voting. According to local election officials in Missouri: “At this point, it is practically impossible to revert to the” 2025 “map.” Brief for Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities as Amicus Curiae in No. 26–2797 (CA8), p. 12.

At this late date, ordering reversion to the 2025 map in the midst of an ongoing election would usher in electoral chaos. Purcell protects against such disorder. The Eighth Circuit panel dealt with Purcell by casting blame on the Missouri Supreme Court for its September 3 decision reasoned, destabilized the election with its “last-minute decisio[n]” that could “potentially . . . decide the outcome of . . . party control of Congress.” ___ F. 4th, at ___, App. to
Emergency Motion 29a.

The Eighth Circuit’s application of Purcell was incorrect. Even though “federal courts should not impose changes close to an election, States are free to decide for themselves whether last-minute changes to an election are in their best interests”—subject, of course, to certain limited constraints imposed by federal law. Allen, 608 U. S., at 514 (citation omitted). Moreover, in this case, the Missouri Supreme Court was not responsible for the late-breaking changes. On the contrary, in an opinion back in May 2026, well before the primary election, the Missouri Supreme Court stated that the 2025 map would not take effect until approved by the voters in an intervening referendum, at least if the referendum petition was legally sufficient. Maggard v. State, 733 S. W. 3d 411, 419–420 (Mo. 2026); see also Healey v. State, 732 S. W. 3d 827, 836, n. 1 (Mo. 2026); NAACP Mo. State Conference v. Kehoe, 734 S. W. 3d 338, 341, n. 4 (Mo. 2026). So in the several-month period before the August primary election, the Missouri Secretary of State was well aware that conducting the August primary election with the 2025 map carried significant risks. The Secretary nonetheless chose to proceed with the 2025 map for the primary.

For those reasons, the application for stay presented to JUSTICE KAVANAUGH and by him referred to the Court is granted. The September 21, 2026, mandate and September 22, 2026, order entered by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in No. 26–2797, and the September 21, 2026, and September 22, 2026, injunctions entered by the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, No. 4:26–cv–01424, ECF Docs. 57 and 60, are stayed absent any further order of this Court lifting such stays. The prior stay entered by this Court on September 10, 2026, likewise lifting that stay. The District Court and Court of Appeals should not enjoin or otherwise prohibit the use of the 2022 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. And the District Court and Court of Appeals should not order or otherwise require Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri.

It is so ordered.

Dayam.

Catharine Hanaway (r) has a sad, too.

Catherine Hanaway (r) [2014 file photo].

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)

Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)

Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)

Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)

Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)

Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 10, 2026)

So sad (September 10, 2026)

Judicial contempt has a way of making one focus (September 11, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and friends whiff at the U.S. Supreme Court (September 25, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and friends whiff at the U.S. Supreme Court

25 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in Uncategorized

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And, you’re out.

“…The District Court and Court of Appeals should not enjoin or otherwise prohibit the use of the 2022 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. And the District Court and Court of Appeals should not order or otherwise require Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. Opinion per curiam…”

Today:

No. 26A388

Title: People Not Politicians, et al., Applicants
v.
Robert Onder, et al.
Docketed: September 22, 2026
Lower Ct: United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Case Numbers: (26-2797)

[….]

Sep 25 2026 Application (26A388) for stay presented to Justice Kavanaugh and by him referred to the Court is granted. The September 21, 2026, mandate and September 22, 2026, order entered by the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit in No. 26–2797, and the September 21, 2026, and September 22, 2026, injunctions entered by the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, No. 4:26–cv–01424, ECF Docs. 57 and 60, are stayed absent any further order of this Court lifting such stays. The prior stay entered by this Court on September 10, 2026, likewise remains in effect pending any further order of this Court lifting that stay. The District Court and Court of Appeals should not enjoin or otherwise prohibit the use of the 2022 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. And the District Court and Court of Appeals should not order or otherwise require Missouri to use the 2025 map in the 2026 congressional election in Missouri. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion)

Cry louder, Denny (r):

Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)

Tears in the rain (September 4, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r): “…unclean hands…” (September 7, 2026)

Justice Brett Kavanaugh – SCOTUS: “Yeah, no.” (September 8, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court order to Denny Hoskins (r): “…show cause…” (September 9, 2026)

Missed it by that much (September 9, 2026)

Salus populi suprema lex esto (September 10, 2026)

Stupid is as stupid does (September 10, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (September 10, 2026)

So sad (September 10, 2026)

Judicial contempt has a way of making one focus (September 11, 2026)

Hey, Denny (r)…

19 Saturday Sep 2026

Posted by in campaign finance, Congress

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“Gerrymander This”

At the Missouri Ethics Commission for the committee opposed to Proposition A, the referendum on the November ballot on right wingnut Governor Mike Kehoe’s (r) and the right wingnut controlled General Assembly’s mid-decade congressional redistricting scheme:

C253606 09/17/2026 People Not Politicians Let It Resound 80 M Street SE Suite 1000 Washington DC 20006 9/15/2026 $25,000.00

C253606 09/18/2026 People Not Politicians Green Advocacy Project 6218 Georgia Avenue, N.W., No. 1-556 Washington DC 20011 9/17/2026 $1,000,000.00

[emphasis added]

Dayam.

Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

We can’t wait for the ads.

“Mike Kehoe is Trump’s Bitch”

No on Proposition A.

Previously:

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) – on Donald Trump’s (r) early redistricting scam (August 29, 2025)

Hey, Brandon Phelps (r), are you going to vote for this gerrymandered bullshit? (August 30, 2025)

Gaslighting and Gerrymandering (September 28, 2025)

Gerrymander this, Denny (March 23, 2026)

Tears in the rain

04 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress

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Rick Brattin (r) [2013 file photo].

Yesterday, after the Missouri Supreme Court overturned the right wingnut controlled General Assembly’s and right wingnut Governor Mike Kehoe’s hyper-partisan gerrymander of congressional districts for the 2026 general election:

Rick Brattin for Congress
[….]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Rick Brattin Releases Statement on Missouri Supreme Court Decision in von Glahn v. Hoskins

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – State Senator Rick Brattin has released the following statement regarding the Missouri Supreme Court’s decision in von Glahn v. Hoskins:

“I’m not surprised that a liberal activist majority on the Missouri Supreme Court has handed Democrats a decision they desperately needed in their effort to help national Democrats retake the US House of Representatives, while also effectively invalidating a primary election that was held in accordance with a legal decision these same judges handed down. With the stroke of a pen, the Missouri Supreme Court has disenfranchised tens of thousands of voters who cast their ballot in the 5th District in the primary, only to be thrown into another district entirely – and with candidates they did not have a chance to vote on – for the General Election. This is blatantly unconstitutional. No court has ever reversed a Congressional map in the middle of an election because it is a complete show of disrespect for voters and for the sanctity of the electoral process. It is my hope that this rogue decision is immediately appealed to the United State Supreme Court.”
###

“…liberal activist majority on the Missouri Supreme Court…” Is somebody going to tell him?

You think he’s pissed because he’s going to have to collect and replant a shitload of 4 x 8 campaign signs? Just asking.

Some of the responses:

Sometimes the best thing to say is: Nothing.

Why wasn’t the citizen initiative certified for the primary? The justices addressed this. You should address your anger to Hoskins.

Rick, like I wrote on Mark’s page. The folks that plan on voting for you will vote for you. Go out and campaign. Leave this behind. All seven judges weighed in. The executive and legislative branch got checked by the judicial branch. I think I recall that’s how it supposed to work. Whining will make you look weak. Adult up and move on.

he should keep on whining and give the voters further proof of how he is either THAT ignorant, or THAT willing to lie to get into office.

have to be dumb af to vote for someone literally telling you he wishes our voices were not heard

Lol. Liberal activists judges…. the court said no so many times. You and your boy denny did this. Cheaters suck Rick. You suck. Can’t wait to defeat you.

So which of the 5 Republican appointed are part of the liberal activist majority?

There, somebody told him.

This is not a Republican victory or a Democratic victory. It is a victory for the people of Missouri.
Our Constitution declares that all political power is vested in and derived from the people. Political parties are factions; they are not the source of government’s authority. The Legislature may pass laws, but the Constitution reserves to the people the power to approve or reject those laws through referendum.
Seven judges unanimously affirmed that principle. Anyone attempting to reduce these decisions to “our party versus their party” is missing—or avoiding—the central issue:
The Constitution belongs to the people, and public officials of both parties are bound by it.

It was not “a liberal majority” – the decision was unanimous.

An Independent Commission screens judges that are appointed by the Governor. 5 by Republicans and 2 by Democrats. Politicians like Rick cry about a liberal court every time they lose a case. His opinion isn’t based on the legal facts.

Rick, why do you have to call names? Isn’t it possible that they simply followed the law?

Lol, your so call “liberal majority” on the MO supreme court is made up of 7 judges, 5 appointed by Republican governors. The ruling today was unanimous.

Talk about blatantly unconstitutional? How about changing the voting districts between census dates at the request of Trump who shouldn’t have made the request in the first place. The president of the United States should never involve himself with voting districts of any state. My interpretation of the Missouri Constitution regarding voting districts is that they are changed after a U.S. census which happens every ten years and the voting districts were just in 2022 following the 2020 census.

Allow me to translate:
“I have big feelings, bc my buddies Hoskins and Hanaway got slapped back UNANIMOUSLY by the MO Supreme Court. Their plot to gerrymander my weak campaign to a narrow lead has ended, and now I’m going to lose bigly.” 😭

Rick challenge you actually reply to this. Explain how 5 republicans and 2 democrats on a unanimous decision yesterday represents a “liberal activist majority?” I’ll wait.

What’s the matter? Afraid you won’t win if the people of the State, including the ones you’re supposed to represent, get to decide?

If Hoskins hadn’t waited until the 11th hour to act on the referendum, those votes wouldn’t have been affected. Can’t have your cake and eat it too.

“….The secretary [of State – Denny Hoskins] devotes a significant portion of his briefing to discussing the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties that may result from not utilizing the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 election. Besides being irrelevant to the secretary’s sole basis for declaring the referendum petition insufficient, these arguments are particularly misplaced given the secretary’s delay created the confusion, expense, and practical difficulties of which he complains….”

5 of the 7 MO Supreme Court judges were appointed by Republican governors.
The current seven judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri were appointed by the following governors Wesley Brent Powell (Chief Justice): Appointed by Governor Eric Greitens (R) in April 2017.
Zel Fischer: Appointed by Governor Matt Blunt (R) in October 2008.
Mary Rhodes Russell: Appointed by Governor Bob Holden (D) in September 2004.
Paul C. Wilson: Appointed by Governor Jay Nixon (D) in December 2012.
Robin Ransom: Appointed by Governor Mike Parson (R) in May 2021.
Kelly C. Broniec: Appointed by Governor Mike Parson (R) in September 2023.
Ginger Gooch: Appointed by Governor Mike Parson (R) in October 2023

He is saying the decision disenfranchises voters by letting voters vote on something.

Voting on matters that impact all voters should be voted on. What’s the problem?

More like conservative leaning unanimous decision

It is interesting that a unanimous ruling by seven judges including five appointed by Republican governors is a “liberal majority”. Please explain.

Hey Ricky, how about you do some research on how many judges were appointed by your party. Let me know if you need help doing the math

You knew darn well this was a risk if not a probability through the whole election. This is the f o part of fa

They got greedy.

Sorry Mr. Brattin, but Denny Hoskins done that all by himself, had he done his job, it would all been settled Aug. 4th.

==========

As said to the Governor; If this Representative Republic was meant to be run by NINE UNELECTED JUDGES, then it would not have an Executive and Legislative Branch. This is an unconstitutional ruling and should be ignored.

Actually, it’s seven judges. They are appointed by the sitting governor (chosen from among three put forward by an independent commission) and then face a statewide retention vote by Missouri voters in a general election. All seven sitting Missouri Supreme Court judges have been retained by the voters, two have been retained twice.

Don’t fall asleep in school, kids.

did you skip high school civics?

Good News! There’s not nine.

So you think court rulings can be ignored? These are not useless executive orders but conclusions reached by education, experienced judges.

==========

Why won’t you just listen to your constituents? That is the bottom line in all of this. The current administration has been trying to take away our right to rule out state since they were elected (remember amendments 4 and 5 last month) – they have forgotten that they work for us.
We just have to keep reminding them, is all.

At what point do you decide to stop embarrassing yourself?

The decision by the supreme court was UNANIMOUS. This means that ALL the judges agreed on the decision. If voters were disenfranchised with the use of the new map in the primary it is entirely the fault of the Secretary of State and the Attorney general who decided to go ahead with the new maps even in the face of the referendum petition. They are responsible for the fiasco.

In 1942, a constitutional amendment bearing the title “Nonpartisan Selection of Judges” was placed on the ballot and approved by a majority of the voters. The amendment applied only to judges of the Supreme Court, the three regional courts of appeal, and the circuit courts in the City of St. Louis and Jackson County. In later years, the voters of St. Louis County, Clay County, and Platte County have chosen to select their circuit and associate circuit judges in the same manner. The method of selection provided for in the 1940 amendment has been known as the “Missouri Plan.” It has been copied in whole and in part by quite a few states.
The selection is non partisan…
So, once again you think you are smarter than we, the people?

Your political advertising is laughable 🤡

Senator Brattin should read the opinion before attacking the Court.
The Missouri Supreme Court did not redraw a single district. It unanimously held that politicians cannot simply erase Missourians’ constitutional right to referendum. Five of the seven judges Brattin calls a “liberal activist majority” were appointed by Republican governors.
And his claim that judicial intervention in congressional maps is unprecedented is simply false.
The Court did not create this mess. Denny Hoskins sat on the petitions for nearly eight months and waited until the final deadline to reject them.
The Constitution belongs to the people, Senator. Not the Legislature. Not the Republican Party. The people.

So your pissed that the election in Missouri can’t be rigged?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but when the courts initially upheld the maps, they also said that the referendum could go forward. The fact that this had it’s day in court now is because Hoskins played games and waited until the primaries to refuse to certify. The MO Supreme Court even cautioned him against running down the clock on the hearings. This is Hoskin’s fault.
Also, what do you call ignoring 300,000 signatures saying we want our say first? Because that sounds a lot more like disenfranchising voters than people who lost out on a primary vote. Especially one that ran out of Democratic ballots in multiple locations. If Republicans had any confidence in their own party, they wouldn’t need these maps, these stupid certifying games, or to try and plant drugs on their opponents. Worry about that first, Bratin.

The Republicans have a supermajority on the State Supreme Court, you absolute clown.
Please show us where the liberal activist majority is on the Republican supermajority doll.

Maybe your friend the secretary of state shouldnt have dragged his feet doing his job processing the petitions if he didnt want this to be getting litigated in the middle of the election. But ofc he didnt, because he was hoping if he slacked long enough that there wouldnt be time and the voters of missouri could be effectively silenced. Its so fun to watch yall make up reasons to be outraged when you finally get called on your bs

Denny Hoskins is responsible for “invalidating a primary election”. He should not have used the map in the primary until this played out in court. He knew this would happen. He planned on this chaos. This is his doing. If you’re upset about a primary being “invalidated” then you need to impeach Hoskins. 👍

Oxygen thief.

‘a liberal activist majority on the Missouri Supreme Court” BRATTIN ARE YOU ON ACID? OR JUST EFFIN STUPID?

Something something snowflakes

There is absolutely nothing about any of the branches of our state government that is “liberal”.
You’re just a crybaby

You started this clown show, Buddy!

Chaser:

In 2022 Rick Brattin (r) ran in the republican primary in the 4th Congressional District. “Missourians for Truth”, a PAC, spent money on mailings opposed to Rick Brattin and supporting Mark Alford (r). Mark Alford won the primary. The images from the mailings were priceless:

Our favorite image from those mailings:

Rick Brattin could have filed in the 4th Congressional District republican primary, facing Mark Alford again. But he didn’t.

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said (September 3, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court slaps down Denny Hoskins (r)….again (September 4, 2026)

What the Missouri Supreme Court said

04 Friday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress

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Russ Carnahan, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party [2026 file photo].

Last night:

Missouri Democratic Party Celebrates State Supreme Court Defeat of Attacks on Rights of All Missourians

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan has issued the following statement following the unanimous rulings from the Missouri Supreme Court siding with Missourians over Secretary of State Denny Hoskins:

“Today is a clear and historic victory for the rights of all Missourians — Republicans, Democrats, and independents — and a clear rebuke of attacks on our rights as citizens by Republican politicians.

“Back when Hoskins’ launched his desperate and partisan attempt to avoid the will of Missourians, we said that, after a brief court battle, Missourians would get to vote and we were absolutely right. It’s just unfortunate that so much taxpayer money had to be wasted by Secretary Hoskins along the way.”

###

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid (September 3, 2026)

Gov. Mike Kehoe (r) thinks we’re all ignorant and stupid

03 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress, Missouri Governor, social media

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“…We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision by unelected judges…”

Mike Kehoe (r) [2026 file photo].

A few hours ago:

Governor Mike Kehoe
[September 3, 2026]

Nearly one year ago, the General Assembly, duly elected by the people of Missouri, convened in an extraordinary session to draw a new congressional map that better represents Missouri and the commonsense values that define our state.
We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision by unelected judges and their lack of respect for the legislative process. Holding a primary election under one congressional map and a general election under another is unprecedented and creates uncertainty for Missouri voters.
Today’s ruling does not change our belief in the Missouri First Map or the principles behind it, and we will continue to stand behind it as the legal process moves forward.

Uh:

Judge W. Brent Powell [Chief Justice]
Retained in office at the November 2018 general election for a 12-year term expiring December 31, 2030

Judge Ginger K. Gooch
Retained at the November 2024 general election for a 12-year term

Judge Kelly C. Broniec
Retained at November 2024 general election for a 12-year term

Judge Mary R. Russell
Retained in office at the November 2006 general election and again at the November 2018 general election for a 12-year term expiring December 31, 2030

Judge Paul C. Wilson
Retained by voters at the November 2014 general election for a 12-year term ending December 31, 2026

Judge Robin Ransom
Retained by voters at the November 2022 general election for a 12-year term ending December 31, 2034

Judge Zel M. Fischer
Retained at the 2010 general election for a 12-year term expiring December 31, 2022; retained at the 2022 general election for a 12-year term expiring December 31, 2034

[emphasis added]

All seven have stood for retention by Missouri voters in general elections.

Some of the responses to Gov. Mike Kehoe (r):

Y’all caused this mess. Cry in your beer. 🍺

Why do you hate the initiative process?

You should be ashamed

Nearly one year ago, Trump also asked Indiana Republican leaders to redistrict out of cycle to draw new maps to favor electing additional Republicans to Congress this fall. The Indiana Senate said “No”. But clearly Missouri officials feel obligated to play Trump’s game out to the bitter end. It’s perhaps a bit ironic that the delaying tactics of Hoskins now hinder the last gasps of this gambit.

Heh.

Isn’t our attorney general an unelected official?

Catherine Hanaway (r) [2015 file photo].

Well, yes.

I’d honestly believe that Kehoe doesn’t know.

I suppose if a majority of Missouri citizens don’t want to allow the map in 2026 that would be called democracy governor.

It’s as if the judicial branch of government is balancing out the legislative… as intended. Odd.

Executive, Legislative, Judicial. The State Constitution does this for a reason.

Governor, this wasn’t judicial defiance. It was a unanimous ruling enforcing Missouri’s Constitution: the legislature may draw maps, but voters still retain the referendum power over acts of the General Assembly. The court found this petition legal, sufficient, and timely, and ordered the 2022 map used unless voters approve the new one. Disagree with the ruling if you want—but don’t confuse constitutional limits on your power with disrespect for democracy.

Imagine being an elected official being mad about the will of the people being heard.

If the state has roughly a 60-40 split between R and D voters, how is 7-1 more fair than 6 – 2? If you truly wanted a more fair representation based on the percentages, a 5 – 3 map would be a more equitable distribution.

Bingo!

They didn’t gerrymander a new map at the request of the people, they did so it at the request of a man who they do not serve and should have no connection to. The state of Missouri is an independent state within this nation, and the legislature doesn’t work for or answer to Trump. Unfortunately, the MAGA cult takes oaths they intend to break, and they pretend like them getting elected is permission to do whatever they want. You are among the MAGA cult, and you show contempt for Missourians every time you try to undermine our will. You’ve betrayed Missouri citizens in an attempt to push your beliefs on others, and you lost. Now you want to denigrate people and throw a temper tantrum instead of admitting you were wrong.

Governor, per the Missouri Plan of 1940, we the voters, vote to retain our MOSC justices.

Bingo!

Respect the vote of the people!

How did you get through that whole essay without the word “gerrymandering”?

We see what you did there.

Perhaps, it’s time for our Governor AND the State Legislature to start listening to the voters instead of dictating to us!

Yeah dude, everybody was clamoring for the general assembly to pass gerrymandering legislation out of nowhere.

This is a pretty remarkable rewriting of what happened. The map wasn’t redrawn because Missouri suddenly needed better representation or “common sense values.” It was a partisan effort to redraw congressional districts mid-decade for political advantage. Courts doing their job and reviewing whether that process complied with the law isn’t a “lack of respect” for democracy. It’s part of democracy.

Maybe because everyone, red and blue deserve representation. Missouri isn’t a red state, it isn’t a blue state. We are purple. No matter what side missourians sit on they believe that everyone in the state deserves representation.

Keeping power with the people, not politicians! Sounds like a good ruling to me!

Today’s ruling was a win for the people of Missouri!

Should have been pretty clear to you when THE PEOPLE voted against Amendents 4 and 5. The Supreme Court did the right thing.

LOL. You should read the ruling! 😎The legal process moved certainly!

OUR voices will be HEARD. The court got this right. The people should decide this. Kehoe is pissed because he knows we will shoot this ridiculous map down. We’ll see just how much Missouri voters want change in November. 🤞

Bro it was unanimous get a grip. The law is the law.

So, there’s this thing called the Constitution…

Perhaps the legislature should consider respecting the will of the people. Read the room, man.

Common sense is listening to the people of the state…something you repeatedly ignore.

Missouri Supreme Court says you have to listen to the voters. Boohoo.

Governor, you say these are unelected justices. However, isn’t your office the one that chooses a replacement when there is an opening? After a selection process to three from an impartial state commission? Oh, and after a year on the bench, they are voted to be retained by the people. Take responsibility for your office.

No one even thought about changing the map until Trump told them to.

Unelected judges”? They literally enforced the voter-approved Missouri Constitution against politicians who tried to ignore a citizen referendum. But tell us more about “respecting the process.”

Get it through your head. You work for the people, and the people have spoken.

You do know the definition of “extraordinary,” right?

4 and 5. Now this. Rough summer gov.

Heh.

Sometimes, when you try to cheat, you get caught.

The judicial branch is a necessary system of checks and balances for the legislative branch . Deal with it.

Aren’t Missouri Supreme Court justices retained after their first year by a public vote, for a 12-year term that is then again voted for retention? They may not be elected, but they are on the bench by the will of the people.

I wish I could of been in the room when Catherine Hanaways head exploded when she got this news Governor Mike Kehoe is the the find out stage of FAFO. That map wasn’t some routine redraw. Kehoe backed a special session at Trump’s request for one reason: knock Emanuel Cleaver out of Congress. You built your whole strategy on a map that hadn’t even cleared legal review, ran a primary on it anyway, and now you’re calling the correction a “constitutional crisis.” It’s not a crisis. It’s consequences.
300,000+ signatures isn’t noise. That’s an organized coalition, and it’s the same one that’ll be showing up in 2028 remembering exactly whose names were on this.

You lost in a unanimous decision. Respect the Missouri Constitution and our government. 5 of those 7 judges were appointed by Republican governors.
Learn how to take a _self inflicted_ L.
You should be embarrassed at how poorly Denny handled this. You should be embarrassed how bad your efforts to undo the will of the citizens you are supposed to represent have turned out.

Governor, it’s interesting that you emphasize that the General Assembly was “duly elected by the people of Missouri” while complaining about a unanimous court decision protecting those same people’s constitutional right to a referendum.
The legislature passed the map. Missourians gathered the signatures necessary to challenge it. Now Missourians get to vote on it.
That’s not disrespect for the legislative process. That’s the constitutional process.
If the Missouri First Map really represents the “commonsense values” of Missourians as well as you say it does, then you shouldn’t have anything to fear from letting Missourians decide.

Your losing battle with reason continues to go poorly for you.

Ouch.

You don’t represent us. Look how strongly you pushed 4 and 5 that NO ONE wanted! You’re out of touch, bought out, and your positions are morally reprehensible. Stop trying to screw up Missouri more than it already is.

Kind of how you respected the will of Missouri voters? .. Oh wait.

Here’s a thought. Have better policies and you won’t have to gerrymander.

Aw, the supreme Court said you couldn’t rig elections😢😢

You seem like you’re worried about the upcoming election. Hmmm. Anyway.
What did everyone have for dinner tonight?

A “Constitutional crisis” of your own making because Hoskins refused to certify the signatures collected for the petition initiative. So, put the blame where it belongs…on Hoskins.

Is it just my imagination or have you been losing a lot lately Guv?

You’re trying to finagle another seat for Trump. Don’t make it anything but what it actually is.

The Supreme Court did the job that you, the General Assembly, and the Secretary of State refused to do: They recognized a threat to democracy and the GOP’s utter disdain for Missouri voters. This is the best thing to happen to Missouri in years.

The Missouri Constitution is quite clear. The power of the Legislature is from the people, not the reverse. The Constitution clearly gives the people the power to override laws approved by the Legislature via the Initiative Process. We are only in this situation because the GOP SOS failed to do his job and sat on this. Then on primary day, he states that the amendment was unconstitutional. Under the Missouri Constitution, for which he swore an oath before God to uphold, he has no such power. And the Constitutional duty he has, he failed to perform. As the Supreme Court stated in their decision, we are only n this situation because he delayed performing his Constitutional duty.

Governor High School telling judges about the law. You can’t make this up. 🤡

Suddenly the States Rights people have a problem with States Rights.

hey Governor, have you not heard of the Missouri plan? It’s a roadmap that the rest of the United States follow. You don’t like it?

And on and on….

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine (September 3, 2026)

Favorite whine

03 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by in Congress, social media

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Bad combover. Check. Too long red tie. Check. Orange spray tan. Check. Tiny hands. Check. Cluelessness. Check…

This evening:

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

The Missouri Supreme Court just ridiculously ruled in favor of changing the maps back to what they were a long time ago. It’s called, Ancient History! The problem is, according to Legal Scholars, that not only was the ruling horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional, but there won’t be enough time to change the map back with the Election coming up in a very short period of time. The Election Process, as usual, is being disturbed in America! Missouri must be able to use the map that was in effect just a couple of months ago, in the Primary. This is a Dark Day for “Justice” in Missouri! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

2.06k ReTruths 6.24k Likes Sep 03, 2026, 6:16 PM

“Gerrymander This”

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever… (August 4, 2026)

Missouri Supreme Court: “HB 1 congressional redistricting, yeah, no.” (September 3, 2026)

Denny Hoskins (r) is a pre-eminent legal scholar and final arbiter of the Missouri Constitution, said no one ever…

04 Tuesday Aug 2026

Posted by in Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Governor, Missouri House, Missouri Senate

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Denny Hoskins (r) [2022 file photo].

Missouri redistricting referendum blocked by secretary of state, drawing lawsuit
Denny Hoskins argues the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on a congressional redistricting plan while refusing to say whether enough signatures had been collected to place the congressional map on the ballot

By Rudi Keller
August 4, 2026 6:08 pm

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins blocked a public vote on the state’s new congressional map Tuesday, declaring a referendum petition unconstitutional a few hours before polls closed in the primary election.

He refused to tell reporters at a Jefferson City press conference whether the petition had enough valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. It didn’t matter, he said, because the Missouri Constitution does not allow a referendum on redistricting.

“Whether they had one signature or 500 million signatures doesn’t really matter because they are unconstitutional,” Hoskins said at a news conference.

The political action committee People Not Politicians turned in more than 300,000 signatures in December, and local election authorities spent hundreds of hours verifying whether the people who signed were registered voters.

[….]

“According to Missouri state law, I had until today at 5 p.m. to certify those signatures,” Hoskins said. “As a certified public accountant, I want to make sure all my ‘i’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”

[…..]

“…Noun, verb, CPA…”

Detail oriented, eh?

“Gerrymander This”

From the Missouri Democratic Party:

Russ Carnahan, Chair, Missouri Democratic Party [2026 file photo].

Missouri Democratic Party Statement on Secretary Hoskins’ Continued Failure to Do His Job
August 4, 2026

Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan has issued the following statement following Secretary of State Denny Hoskins’ last minute refusal to certify the petitions by Respect Missouri Voters and People Not Politicians that a historic, record-breaking number of Missourians, of all political beliefs, signed and submitted:

‘At the end of the day, Hoskins’ desperate attempt to avoid the will of Missourians is not surprising, unexpected, or even creative. This is a craven power grab by a Republican politician in Jefferson City who is afraid of what will happen if Missourians will be allowed to vote. Let’s be clear, Missourians of every political leaning — Democrat, Republican, and independent — signed these petitions. It is not everyday Missourians that are opposed to their own right to vote, it is the Republican politicians in Jefferson City,’ said Chair Russ Carnahan. ‘We support the right of all Missourians to vote and ultimately expect, after a brief court battle, that they will get that opportunity.’

###

Previously:

HB 1: Gerrymander this (September 9, 2025)

Can play with AI, can’t be bothered to certify petition signatures (June 7, 2026)

Campaign Finance: “Welcome to the party, pal”

12 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in campaign finance

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Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for a campaign committee opposing Amendment 3, Amendment 4, Amendment 5 and redistricting/gerrymandering:

C264301 06/12/2026 Protect Freedom and Democracy Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Action 438 N Skinker Saint Louis MO 63130 6/12/2026 $150,000.00

[emphasis added]

Protect Freedom and Democracy – Active
MECID: C264301
620 E Armour Blvd
Kansas City, MO 64109
[….]
Supported/Opposed Ballot Measure
Measure Election Date Subject Political Subdivision Support/Oppose
Amendment 3 11/3/2026 Anti-Abortion Amendment Statewide Oppose
Amendment 4 8/4/2026 Anti-Majority Rule Statewide Oppose
Amendment 5 8/4/2026 Everything Tax Statewide Oppose
HB1 Veto Referendum 11/3/2026 Repeal the congressional redistricting map passed in HB 1 Statewide Oppose

[….]

It’s a new committee:

Welcome to the party.