Democrats gear up for battle to flip New York seats that went red during redistricting battle
by Ryan King, Breaking Politics Reporter |
April 09, 2023 09:27 AM
New York Democrats are seeking to reverse their congressional let-downs in 2022 that helped cement the GOP midterm takeover of the House.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) and Attorney General Letitia James (D) backed a recent bid to urge a court to allow the Empire State's congressional district lines to be retooled while national Democrats ramp up their financial firepower to retake those seats.
“I am committed to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers to fully participate in our electoral system,” Hochul said in a statement. “We are urging the court to support the Constitutionally-protected process in order to ensure accountability and fairness for New York voters.”
Once widely considered the crown jewel of Democrats' decennial redistricting gains, New York's apportionment soon turned into political liability after multiple lower courts and, ultimately, the New York Court of Appeals voided it. The high court's ruling paved the way for a special master, appointed by a lower court judge, to craft the new district contours.
At the heart of the ruling was the Democrat-controlled state legislature's decision to seize control of the mapmaking process when the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission reached a deadlock. The court of appeals deemed the decision to bypass the IRC and the partisan nature of the map unconstitutional.
Aside from aiding Republicans by making the 2022 races more competitive, the special master congressional map also cemented a Democratic bloodbath by pitting multiple incumbents on a collision course.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/dems-strive-flip-ny-seats-that-went-republican
