Rep. Bob Onder says invalidating the primary would "invalidate our whole electoral process by judicial fiat"
U.S. Representative for Missouri's 3rd District and lead plaintiff in the federal lawsuit, interviewed on 97.1 FM Talk
“to invalidate a primary in which 1.2 million Missourians chose their primary candidates is really to invalidate our whole electoral process by judicial fiat. A very bad decision by the Missouri Supreme Court, an excellent decision yesterday by the Eighth Circuit.”
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Radio interview posted by 97.1 FM Talk the morning after the Eighth Circuit's September 21 ruling. The host describes Onder as the lead plaintiff in the federal case. The quoted passage is Onder's answer about the primary election.
Original text
About this source
Published per curiam opinion affirming Chief Judge Stephen Clark's temporary restraining order and directing entry of a permanent injunction requiring the 2025 map, with the injunction administratively stayed until September 28, 2026 at 5 p.m. Central time. Judge Stras concurred in part and dissented in part, writing that he would dismiss the appeal because People Not Politicians and Richard von Glahn lack standing.
Reporting
About this source
Report on the Supreme Court's September 25 order, with the sequence of court actions since September 3, the filings of Missouri and the plaintiffs, and county election officials' account of absentee voting under the 2022 map.
Before the quotation
On September 21, the Eighth Circuit held that using the 2022 map in the November general election violates the Constitution. Onder and Sen. Rick Brattin had sued Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in federal court on September 4.
After the quotation
In the same interview, Onder said he hoped the U.S. Supreme Court would deny certiorari and that a yes vote on Proposition A would be a vote for the 2025 map.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: Because Missouri held its August primary under the 2025 map, the U.S. Constitution requires it to use that same map in the November general election, and using the 2022 map instead would violate Article I, Section 2 and equal protection.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is use of the 2025 map in the 2026 general election. Onder argues that using a different map in the general election would nullify the primary and praises the ruling that requires the 2025 map, which defends that use. The closest competing label, condemns, does not fit because his criticism targets the state court's decision, not the use of the map.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Supreme Court of Missouri
Should Missouri be allowed to use its 2025 congressional map in the 2026 general election?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“It is disappointing that today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court means Missouri will conduct its November general election under a different congressional map than its primary election. Voters deserved consistency and certainty, and not for the rules to be changed between elections. Nevertheless, Missouri will follow the Court’s order.”Read statement
Supreme Court of the United States
“In short, as a matter of state law, the 2022 map—not the 2025 map—must be used in the 2026 congressional election. … 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. … 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.”Read statement
Campaign Legal Center
“Pursuant to this Court’s orders and the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling on state law, election administration has proceeded under the 2022 map, ballots have already been mailed, and voting has begun. … This Court must once again step in to restore order by granting the Applicants’ requested relief.”Read statement