Missouri Supreme Court Holds Secretary of State in Contempt Over Gerrymandering Issue

Denny Hoskins, Missouri's secretary of state, spoke to reporters at a campaign event on November 4, 2024, at the Jefferson City Memorial Airport in Missouri. On September 10, 2026, Missouri’s Supreme Court held Hoskins in contempt for defying its order not to use a gerrymandered map for the upcoming midterm election. This ruling follows Hoskins' attempts to implement a gerrymandered map that would have impacted the electoral landscape in Missouri. After facing questioning from the judges, Hoskins conceded and agreed to use a 2022 district map for the election. Despite this concession, the court still found him in contempt. The judges did not specify any penalties for Hoskins following a brief second appearance later that day. Chief Justice Brent Powell noted that Hoskins had corrected his conduct by notifying local election authorities to use the 2022 congressional district map. Last week, the Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled against using a GOP gerrymander that eliminated a Democratic district in Kansas City. However, Hoskins had initially defied this order after a federal district court issued a conflicting ruling that barred the state from using any map other than the gerrymander for the election. This ruling coincided with the deadline for finalizing ballots for the upcoming election. During an initial appearance before the state Supreme Court, Hoskins’ attorney suggested the possibility of continuing to defy the court order, which frustrated the judges. The U.S. Supreme Court intervened to halt the gerrymandered map, ensuring that the state will use its 2022 district map for the midterms. Justice Brett Kavanaugh paused the map until a federal appeals court completes its review and the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to review the case, which is expected to occur in October when the court reconvenes. After being found in contempt, Hoskins requested that voters “please keep Missouri in your prayers.”