JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Despite multiple lawsuits and at least one petition-driven effort that could force a referendum vote, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is standing by the recently passed congressional map that awaits his signature.

In a sit-down interview Friday, Kehoe dismissed claims that the map is unconstitutional. He also denied that there is an error in the “Missouri First Map” that lawmakers passed during a special session last week. 

“We believe the Census Bureau created two voting districts that had the same numbers in them,” Kehoe said of the alleged error. “But they're clearly in two different districts.”

“It just clarified that when you look at just the language of the bill, it's pretty confusing,” Kehoe said of his office’s clarification this week. “But when you look at the language along with the map, you'll understand what happened there.” 

The Republican governor remained confident in his outlook regarding pending litigation.

“When you look at the comparison of the language along with the map, it makes total sense,” said Kehoe. “We believe the courts will decide the same way.” 

Kehoe said he will sign the new map as soon as it clears his office’s legislative review process. 

“It's under review right now,” said Kehoe. “Anytime somebody brings up something in litigation, you kind of look at it maybe a little bit extra hard to make sure it's right. When it comes out of bill review, assuming everything's okay, we intend to sign it,” he added.

The governor also downplayed the potential for National Guard troops being sent to St. Louis, saying there is no immediate plan to deploy the guard in the city.  

“The president and I share the same view that public safety is the key to economic development and keeping this country going in the right direction,” said Kehoe.

When asked directly if there was a plan to bring in troops to St. Louis, Kehoe said there was not.

“We don't have an immediate plan,” he said. “But again, we're always looking at ways to make sure we keep Missourians, in this case St. Louis, safe.”