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….