• New York Republicans condemn Gov. Kathy Hochul’s pledge for partisan redistricting in response to Texas’s GOP plan.
• Hochul vows to “fight fire with fire” alongside fleeing Texas Democrats opposing redistricting efforts.
• Republicans accuse Hochul of undermining voter-approved independent commission and attempting gerrymandering.

ALBANY, NY (TDR) — New York Republicans have sharply criticized Governor Kathy Hochul after she pledged to pursue a partisan redrawing of New York’s congressional districts, responding to the ongoing redistricting conflict in Texas. Hochul’s announcement came during a press conference Monday with six Texas Democrats who fled their state to block a Republican-led congressional map overhaul.

Hochul’s Defiant Stance Against Texas Redistricting

Hochul condemned Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald J. Trump, accusing them of orchestrating a “blatant power grab” by pushing to add five more GOP congressional seats ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“We’re already working on a legislative process, reviewing our legal strategies, and we’ll do everything in our power to stop this brazen assault,” Hochul declared. “The gloves are off, and I say bring it on. We're at war. So we need to fight fire with fire.”

Hochul and top Democrats are reportedly exploring “all options” to redraw New York’s district lines, undeterred by concerns raised by good government organizations about the risks of partisan gerrymandering.

Republican Backlash: Defending Independent Redistricting

Congressman Mike Lawler (R-Hudson Valley) criticized Hochul’s stance as a blatant disregard for the constitutional amendment that transferred redistricting authority from the Legislature to an Independent Redistricting Commission.

“I’ll give her credit for being honest — she wants to gerrymander New York’s maps and eliminate any opposition to one-party Democratic rule in Albany and New York City,” Lawler said. “These are the same people who have moved local elections to even years and require election law cases only be heard in Dem districts.”

Similarly, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R), eyeing a potential 2026 gubernatorial run, called out Hochul for “hypocrisy,” highlighting her previous failed attempts at gerrymandering and efforts to delay a special election in Stefanik’s district.

Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt condemned Hochul and Albany Democrats, accusing them of “trying to rig the redistricting process to preserve their own political power at the expense of the people.”

“Gov. Hochul has described the mid-decade redistricting as undemocratic yet she and other New York Democrats are willing to destroy democracy under the guise of saving democracy,” Ortt said. “Voters know what this is really about — political power.”

Watchdogs and Legislative Responses

The watchdog group Reinvent Albany slammed New York Democrats’ redistricting push as a “race to the bottom” that threatens to disenfranchise voters and erode confidence in democratic institutions.

“Locking in one-party rule in New York using undemocratic and fundamentally unfair laws will undermine public confidence and hurt the health of our democracy,” the group said.

Lawler plans to introduce legislation in Congress banning mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering nationwide.

“Gerrymandering is wrong and should be banned everywhere — including in New York, Texas, California, and Illinois,” he said. “I look forward to every single Democrat signing on to it.”

Texas Lawmakers Face Arrest Warrants Amid Flight

Hochul also criticized Texas Governor Abbott’s threats to remove or arrest lawmakers who fled to New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts to block the Texas redistricting vote. The GOP-controlled Texas House authorized arrest warrants Monday against the absent Democrats.

Will New York’s redistricting battle intensify the nationwide fight over fair representation?

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