New York Legislators Aim to Block House GOP from Securing Crucial Vote
A recent proposal would enable New York Governor Kathy Hochul to schedule a special election for later in the year.
TroibNews 
ALBANY, New York — New York Democrats are likely to postpone until November the special election for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s House seat — a decision that would prevent House Republicans from gaining a crucial vote in a narrowly divided chamber.
On Friday, state lawmakers introduced a bill allowing Gov. Kathy Hochul to schedule special elections under specific conditions until the November general election. The Democratic-led Legislature is expected to pass the bill on Monday, igniting a contentious feud with New York Republicans in a highly partisan climate. President Donald Trump appointed Stefanik to become the United Nations ambassador.
Prominent Democrats in Albany are presenting the proposal — which arose from discussions between state legislators and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office — as a means of saving costs for local governments. In contrast, Republicans criticized the measure as an attempt to deprive a rural, deep-red House district of representation in Washington and have called for a RICO investigation into Democratic lawmakers.
While Hochul did not provide comments following the bill's introduction, she has expressed a positive view of the idea previously.
"I'll tell you what a very short time frame does: It favors people who are already elected officials versus a citizen who wants to run because there's a lot involved in this," the Democratic governor noted. "So you’re actually denying more opportunities for people to run who don’t already hold elected office."
Jeffries’ office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Stefanik has represented the district, which stretches from the Albany region to the Canadian border, for the past decade. She continues in her position as her nomination awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Should she resign her seat now, a special election to fill the vacancy would likely take place in the spring. Local Republicans have yet to choose a candidate, but whoever they nominate would likely be viewed as a strong favorite.
This week, Democrats announced that Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer, would be seeking the seat.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated that the legislation safeguards “democratic participation while ensuring the government remains fiscally responsible.”
“Right now, New Yorkers are facing unprecedented challenges including the strain on our democracy and our high cost of living,” she added. “At a time when people need our government to work more efficiently, this legislation is a common-sense approach that saves taxpayer dollars while maximizing voter turnout.”
Republicans, however, criticized the prospect of prolonged representation void in Stefanik’s district, advocating for a federal investigation into the situation.
“These shameless Albany politicians can’t win on their disastrous policies like sky-high crime, out-of-control taxes, or an illegal migrant crisis they created, so they’re resorting to using Albany swamp tactics,” remarked Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt. “The Senate Republicans are prepared to join any effort with the Trump administration to bring the hammer down on the brazen corruption in Albany.”
Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the House GOP’s campaign arm, condemned the proposed delay.
“New York Democrats’ anti-democracy plot to disenfranchise over 700,000 voters in New York is disgusting partisanship and cannot stand,” he stated. “The voters deserve to have a voice in Congress as soon as possible; any delay is a pure power grab by Kathy Hochul and Hakeem Jeffries to silence working families across Upstate New York.”
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Friday, state lawmakers introduced a bill allowing Gov. Kathy Hochul to schedule special elections under specific conditions until the November general election. The Democratic-led Legislature is expected to pass the bill on Monday, igniting a contentious feud with New York Republicans in a highly partisan climate. President Donald Trump appointed Stefanik to become the United Nations ambassador.
Prominent Democrats in Albany are presenting the proposal — which arose from discussions between state legislators and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office — as a means of saving costs for local governments. In contrast, Republicans criticized the measure as an attempt to deprive a rural, deep-red House district of representation in Washington and have called for a RICO investigation into Democratic lawmakers.
While Hochul did not provide comments following the bill's introduction, she has expressed a positive view of the idea previously.
"I'll tell you what a very short time frame does: It favors people who are already elected officials versus a citizen who wants to run because there's a lot involved in this," the Democratic governor noted. "So you’re actually denying more opportunities for people to run who don’t already hold elected office."
Jeffries’ office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Stefanik has represented the district, which stretches from the Albany region to the Canadian border, for the past decade. She continues in her position as her nomination awaits confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Should she resign her seat now, a special election to fill the vacancy would likely take place in the spring. Local Republicans have yet to choose a candidate, but whoever they nominate would likely be viewed as a strong favorite.
This week, Democrats announced that Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer, would be seeking the seat.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated that the legislation safeguards “democratic participation while ensuring the government remains fiscally responsible.”
“Right now, New Yorkers are facing unprecedented challenges including the strain on our democracy and our high cost of living,” she added. “At a time when people need our government to work more efficiently, this legislation is a common-sense approach that saves taxpayer dollars while maximizing voter turnout.”
Republicans, however, criticized the prospect of prolonged representation void in Stefanik’s district, advocating for a federal investigation into the situation.
“These shameless Albany politicians can’t win on their disastrous policies like sky-high crime, out-of-control taxes, or an illegal migrant crisis they created, so they’re resorting to using Albany swamp tactics,” remarked Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt. “The Senate Republicans are prepared to join any effort with the Trump administration to bring the hammer down on the brazen corruption in Albany.”
Rep. Richard Hudson, chair of the House GOP’s campaign arm, condemned the proposed delay.
“New York Democrats’ anti-democracy plot to disenfranchise over 700,000 voters in New York is disgusting partisanship and cannot stand,” he stated. “The voters deserve to have a voice in Congress as soon as possible; any delay is a pure power grab by Kathy Hochul and Hakeem Jeffries to silence working families across Upstate New York.”
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
