Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Wednesday that approved a new map for the Empire State’s 26 congressional seats that is less partisan than Democrats’ initial goals.
The largely bipartisan proposal is expected to end a four-year legal saga between Republican and Democratic Party officials in the state over how to divide the congressional districts following the 2020 census.
The maps have a slight Democratic gerrymander but not the full-blown partisan plan that many liberal activists had wanted.
However, New York lawmakers saw the passage as a victory with six competitive seats seen as key to win in November.
“Today, the state legislature has adopted a bipartisan congressional map that more meaningfully delivers the type of fair representation that the people of New York State deserve,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat.
“This map reunites several communities of interest, reduces the number of counties, towns, and villages that are split, and promotes compact congressional districts.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican whose district remained largely unchanged in the final map, said he was “glad to see both the Senate and Assembly exhibit restraint when it came to their final map.”
“While there were numerous attempts throughout this process to engage in a partisan gerrymander, the final map largely abides by the New York Independent Redistricting Commission’s bipartisan version and ensures fair, competitive districts across the state,” he said.
The new map changes the 22nd District represented by Rep. Brandon Williams and gives the Republican lawmaker a more difficult re-election bid.
On Long Island, the map moves several suburban communities to give more electoral protection to Rep.-elect Tom Suozzi, a Democrat, in the 3rd District. In the 18th District, lines were changed to boost Rep. Patrick Ryan, a Democrat.
The 19th District, represented by Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican, remains competitive, while the changes to the map have helped Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican, in the 1st District.
Other changes made to the map have made little to no difference to other lawmakers.
The Republicans’ national campaign arm says New York voters will cast their ballots based on what it called the Democrats’ failure with open borders and rising crime.
“New York voters are fed up with open borders, rising crime and unaffordable living affecting their lives every day,” said National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Savannah Viar.
“Voters know Republicans are the only ones that can deliver impactful solutions to the problems they face, which is why we will be victorious in November,” she said.