Metro

NY ordered to redistrict House maps, Dems could claw back 6 congressional seats

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Published July 13, 2023
Updated July 13, 2023, 10:44 p.m. ET

A New York court ordered new congressional maps be redrawn ahead of the 2024 midterms, siding with Democrats salivating at the chance to overturn several embarrassing losses last November. 

The appellate court reversed a lower court’s decision on Thursday and ordered the state’s redistricting commission to start work on new proposed state congressional lines impacting 26 House seats — 15 held by Democrats and 11 by the GOP.

Republicans vowed to take the politically charged case to New York’s highest court.

“Democrats want to rig the congressional district lines in their favor,” roared former GOP Rep. John Faso of the Hudson Valley district. “New York state now has more competitive congressional districts than any state in the nation.”

If the decision is upheld by the Empire State’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, they would replace the maps used for the 2022 elections — which were redrawn by a neutral, court-ordered “special master” after Albany Democrats gerrymandered a previous version of the district lines.  

“We’re looking forward to getting back to work,” said Karen Blatt, the commission’s Democratic co-executive director. “And we’re looking forward to working with our Republican side as well.”

A New York Appellate Court has ordered new congressional maps be redrawn ahead of the 2024 midterms.
A New York appellate court has ordered new congressional maps be redrawn ahead of the 2024 midterms. Carnegie Mellon University

If the congressional districts revert to the lines drawn in 2022, it would also seriously jeopardize Republican wins in battleground seats on Long Island, Staten Island and the Hudson Valley, which experts pinpoint as key to icing out Democratic control of the House, and possibly end GOP control of the House.

Some fear it could result in a possible end to the GOP’s control of the House.

“The Appellate Division majority’s conclusion guts the New York Constitution’s explicit prohibition against mid-decade redistricting. When Democrats can’t compete, they cheat,” House GOP Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and state Republican Chairman Ed Cox said in a joint statement.

First-term GOP Rep. Michael Lawler representing Westchester and Rockland counties also denounced the decision as partisan.

“Instead of running better candidates, having a coherent strategy, or messaging on issues New Yorkers actually care about, Albany and Washington, DC, Democrats would rather gerrymander their way to power,” said Lawler.

The GOP successfully flipped four House seats in the 2022 November election, those districts include: 

  • Lawler, a former state Assemblyman whose 17th district now covers parts of the Hudson Valley toppled the powerful former Democratic Campaign Committee Chair, Sean Patrick Maloney
  • Ex-Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro clinched the 19th district, a seat formerly held by now Lieutenant Gov. Antonio Delgado
  • On Long Island, George Santos won the 3rd district vacated by former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi in his failed gubernatorial bid
  • Also on Long Island in the 4th district, Anthony D’Esposito took over the district held by Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice, who retired

But Democrats are eyeing other “competitive” seats across the Empire State as possible pick ups. 

Democratic State Party Chairman Jay Jacobs told The Post he’s eyeing all four GOP-held Long Island districts and NY-11 on Staten Island held by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis — who Albany Democrats formerly plotted to knock out with their first plan — as well as the Central New York-based 22nd district held by Rep. Brandon Williams, who succeeded retired Rep. John Katko.

“The districts that have been competitive, will remain competitive,” he said.

Not surprisingly, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries applauded the decision to have the state’s congressional lines drawn by an independent commission.

“The current congressional map was drawn by an unelected, out-of-town Special Master appointed by an extreme right-wing judge,” said Jeffries, “who himself was handpicked by partisan political operatives.”

Gov. Kathy Hochul — who the GOP bashed for allegedly favoring Democrats over fair districts by supporting the first legislative-drawn maps — also praised the decision. 

“As Governor, I remain dedicated to rebuilding the @nydems as a model for success and am incredibly appreciative of Leader @hakeemjeffries and @SenGillibrand’s partnership in helping spearhead this effort. More to come!” she tweeted.

GOP sources griped about newly-installed chief judge Rowan Wilson, as he could be a deciding vote in the anticipated litigation.

Wilson voted to uphold the Democratic-drawn map last year, along with other liberal-leaning judges in the 4-3 decision that led the Court of Appeals to throw out the Legislature’s so-called ‘Hochulmander.’

The current maps were created by a Special Counsel after the original maps approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul were ruled to be gerrymandered by Albany Democrats.
The current maps were created by a special master after the original maps approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul were declared to have been gerrymandered by Albany Democrats. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

With a promised appeal to the Court of Appeals, New York Law School professor Jeffrey Wice noted it is generally easier for the high court to affirm a lower court decision than explain why it is reversing it.

“There’s no guarantee here,” Wice said, “but the chances of success for the Democrats just got a lot better.”

With Post wires