New York Lawmakers Moving to Deny House GOP a Key Vote
9th February 2025
New York Democrats are poised to delay until November the special election to fill Rep. Elise Stefanik’s House seat — a move that would deny House Republicans a crucial vote in the closely divided chamber.
State lawmakers on Friday introduced a bill that would allow Gov. Kathy Hochul to schedule special elections under some circumstances until the November general election. The Democratic-led Legislature is expected to approve the bill Monday, touching off a bitter feud with New York Republicans in a hyper partisan era. President Donald Trump tapped Stefanik to become the United Nations ambassador.
Top Albany Democrats are framing the proposal — which follows consultations between state lawmakers and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office — as a way to save money for local governments. Republicans decried the measure as an attempt to deny a rural, deep red House district representation in Washington and called for a RICO investigation of Democratic lawmakers.
UPDATE: Democrats move to push special election date, and GOP howls (Times-Union)
UPDATE: N.Y. Democrats introduce bill allowing Hochul to delay special election, infuriating Republicans and prompting calls for investigation (Spectrum News)
UPDATE: Democratic chairs choose candidate for NY-21 (ABC News10)