With assistance from Amira McKee
MUTUALLY ASSURED REDISTRICTING:
The ongoing gerrymandering skirmish is leaving New York Republicans in a precarious position, compelling them to act swiftly—denouncing Governor Hochul and even daring to dissent from President Donald Trump—to avoid becoming collateral damage as Democrats maneuver for retaliatory redistricting.
Following Trump’s encouragement for Texas Governor Greg Abbott to redraw congressional maps to net five additional GOP seats, Hochul vowed to “fight fire with fire.”
New York Republican Representatives Mike Lawler, Elise Stefanik, Nicole Malliotakis, and Nick LaLota are eager to sidestep this political crossfire. Some are even willing to criticize Trump’s Texas tactics.
“What Texas is doing is wrong, and I’m opposed to it,” Lawler texted Playbook, while backing a bipartisan bill with fellow Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley of California aimed at banning gerrymandering nationwide.
Malliotakis, too, has voiced her disapproval of Texas’ redistricting maneuvers. “I may differ in opinion from many of my colleagues on this, particularly the ones from Texas,” she noted on The Joe Piscopo Show. “I’m not supportive of gerrymandering in any form.”
Amidst this uproar, Hochul is shedding any pretense that New York’s redistricting should be an impartial process. “Democrats have previously treated our political system as though it adhered to norms and fairness,” she declared in an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle. “That era has come to an end.”
As Hochul hosted Texas lawmakers fleeing their own state to block redistricting legislation, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie urged New York Republicans to intervene. “Perhaps the Republican members of Congress here in New York could say to their Republican colleagues in Texas, ‘Hey, slow down on this, because this can also affect us,’” he suggested.
However, the dissenting Republicans remain acutely aware of the Democrats’ gerrymandering history at home. New York Democrats attempted to redraw district lines to their advantage well before Trump’s Texas intervention. Voters decisively rejected a Democrat-led ballot referendum in 2021 aimed at weakening the state’s redistricting independence, and subsequent court decisions blocked their attempts to manipulate the maps in 2022.
“New York Democrats have long sought to gerrymander and skew elections, well before any of this Texas nonsense,” Lawler asserted. “They’re not reacting to Texas; they’re using it as a facade for their own ambitions.”
While Lawler continues to refine the details of his federal anti-gerrymandering bill, Stefanik—eyeing a gubernatorial run against Hochul—promised to uphold the New York State Constitution’s stipulation for decennial redistricting if elected. Yet, she fell silent when questioned about her stance on Texas’ mid-decade redistricting.
“As Governor, Congresswoman Stefanik would uphold the NY State Constitution, which mandates redistricting once a decade, and respect the will of New York voters who endorsed an independent bipartisan commission,” stated her spokesperson, Alex DeGrasse. “Congresswoman Stefanik successfully worked to preserve the integrity of New York elections while Kathy Hochul attempted to illegally gerrymander and suppress the voters’ will.”
In response, Hochul’s spokesperson Jen Goodman had pointed words for New York’s GOP. “If New York House Republicans are sincere about protecting democracy, they should direct their outrage at Donald Trump and their colleagues in Texas who are attempting to dismantle it,” she remarked. “Until Texas relents, Governor Hochul will explore every option available to combat this and ensure New York voters’ voices are heard.”
A FEDERAL SUIT AGAINST EVEN-YEAR ELECTIONS:
Meanwhile, Republicans are gearing up to launch a federal lawsuit against New York’s new law mandating that most local elections be held in even-numbered years. This challenge arrives as the state Court of Appeals prepares to hear arguments concerning the 2023 law, which reshuffled town and county elections. A mid-level appellate court previously determined that the law did not violate the state constitution, despite pushback from eight GOP county executives.
Details of the upcoming lawsuit were foreshadowed in an amicus brief filed in the state’s highest court on behalf of the town of Riverhead and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip, asserting that the state law contravenes the U.S. Constitution.
“The First Amendment’s primary purpose is not merely to enhance participation rates but to safeguard the public dialogue and debate central to our democracy. Consolidating local elections with federal and statewide ones marginalizes local candidates,” the brief states, a copy of which was obtained by Playbook.
“The First Amendment doesn’t end at the steps of the state capital,” remarked William A. Brewer III, representing Riverhead and Pilip. “Our clients argue that in their communities, democracy will be drowned out—not through censorship, but by unnecessary burdens on local discourse.”
State Senator James Skoufis, who sponsored the newly enacted law, viewed the lawsuit as evidence that local officials like Pilip fear an influx of voters in their elections. “This is desperate and pathetic,” Skoufis stated. “It’s obviously constitutional—many other states and jurisdictions have implemented similar laws. It undeniably boosts voter turnout, so it’s laughable to suggest this won’t be thrown out in court.”
BOOK OF JOB APPROVAL:
In a different arena, Mayor Eric Adams held a rally at City Hall today, flanked by a diverse assembly of faith leaders supporting his reelection campaign. Despite facing low poll numbers and high disapproval ratings, Adams seized the opportunity to tout his achievements and air grievances against the media.
Echoing his past criticisms of Andrew Cuomo for evading the press during the Democratic primary, Adams began the event with a notable caveat: he would not entertain questions. “After I speak, I’m bouncing,” he declared. “You’re not going to tarnish the good news of today.”
He concluded by asking for a “special prayer.” “Lay hands on our media,” he implored. “Heal them. Put honesty in their hearts.”
Adams has expressed frustration over press coverage regarding his previously dismissed federal bribery case, allegations of collusion with Trump, and corruption investigations that have plagued his administration.
As he exited, reporters bombarded him with questions, prompting Adams to clap and chant, “ask me the good news questions,” as he and his entourage retreated into City Hall.
RESOLUTION TO BACK THE BLUE:
In legislative news, Stefanik introduced a resolution today condemning the recent mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan that claimed five lives, including that of an off-duty NYPD officer.
The resolution also denounces “divisive rhetoric and violence against federal, state, and local law enforcement officers,” urging lawmakers to recommit to supporting law enforcement.
Stefanik, a North Country Republican, asserted, “Anti-police policies should have no place in our great state.”
Simultaneously, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Rep. Andrew Garbarino, both Republicans, emphasized the importance of training and cooperation among law enforcement at local, state, and federal levels. They toured the Nassau County Police Department’s intelligence center and training facility.
Garbarino, the new chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated that his focus would be on counterterrorism, particularly in New York City. “New York is the greatest city, but it’s also the most targeted, and we must protect it,” he declared.
Both Stefanik and Blakeman, potential gubernatorial candidates aligned with Trump, have criticized Democrats for policies and rhetoric they claim endanger law enforcement. However, they refrained from disclosing their political affiliations during their remarks today.
— MAMDANI DRAWS JEWISH VOTERS: Zohran Mamdani is appealing to Jewish New Yorkers with an affordability-centered platform, while his stances on Israel and Gaza garner mixed reactions. (The New York Times)
— CUOMO RECALIBRATES: Andrew Cuomo’s revamped campaign is moving away from his historically staunch defense of Israel. (Bloomberg)
— ICE CRACKDOWN: Most immigrants arrested in New York City since the Trump administration intensified its border policies have no criminal charges or convictions. (The New York Times)
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