Hochul Backs Redrawing New York’s Congressional Map, Citing GOP Moves in Texas

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Aug. 4 that she is “exploring every option” to redraw the state’s congressional map, responding to Texas Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting push that could flip five House seats to the GOP.

“If Republicans are willing to rewrite these rules to give themselves an advantage, then they’re leaving us no choice. We must do the same,” Hochul, a Democrat, said during a press conference in Albany, where she appeared alongside Texas House Democrats who had fled their state to block a vote on the new map.

More than 50 Democratic members of the Texas House left the state on Aug. 3 to prevent a quorum to vote on the maps, risking fines and other penalties. Texas Republicans say their proposal complies with legal requirements and is necessary to correct alleged problems with current districts. Democrats, however, say the move is part of a broader strategy directed by President Donald Trump to keep control of the House.

Hochul said she and legislative leaders are already reviewing legal strategies and a constitutional amendment that would allow New York to redraw its lines before the next scheduled redistricting in 2032. The earliest timeline for such a change would put the proposal before voters in 2027, enabling new maps in time for the 2028 election, she said.

Hochul’s remarks were more forceful than her earlier comments on the issue. Two weeks ago, she said she was watching developments closely and would work with Democratic leaders in Washington, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

On Monday, Hochul said the current moment is “a war,” accusing Republicans of “rigging the system” and launching a “legal insurrection” led by Trump.

Jeffries echoed that framing in recent appearances on MSNBC and CNN, saying Democrats would “respond forcefully, aggressively and relentlessly” to Republican redistricting efforts.

He said the Republicans “want to be able to choose their voters, as opposed to allowing the voters to choose the people who should be privileged to represent them in Washington,” Jeffries said. “It’s theft.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session of the Legislature to pass a redrawn congressional map, which Democrats say targets majority-minority districts around Austin, Houston, and Dallas.

At the press conference, Hochul hosted several of those lawmakers, who said the redistricting proposal is aimed at eliminating longtime black-led districts and cementing Republican power.

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, also signaled support for Hochul’s plan, saying it was time to stop “playing fair” when Texas Republicans are “playing dirty,” as he described it.

The move to consider new maps marks a shift for New York Democrats, who were stymied by the courts during the 2022 cycle and saw their own gerrymandered maps thrown out. A new independent commission was put in place to prevent partisan abuse. Hochul suggested that model may no longer be viable.

When asked whether that meant abandoning principles of good government, Hochul said saving democracy was her top priority.

“If that’s what’s called for, I will put saving democracy as my top priority at any cost,” she said.

Texas Democrats, meanwhile, said they would continue building a coalition nationwide to block what they called a coordinated Republican effort to control the House through redistricting.

A vote on the proposed Texas map was scheduled for Monday.