New York lawmakers unveil map that would boost number of Democratic seats

New York Democrats this weekend unveiled a proposed congressional map that could help Democrats gain an additional three seats in the state’s already majority-Democratic delegation.

The proposed map favors Democrats in 22 House districts and Republicans in four. New York’s congressional delegation is currently made up of 19 Democrats and eight Republicans. 

The Empire State is set to lose one congressional district due to population loss. 

Under the proposed map, Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) and Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) see their districts become more Democratic. Meanwhile, in upstate New York, the map eliminates Rep. Claudia Tenney’s  (R-N.Y.) district, moving much of the population to Rep. Antonio Delgado’s (D-N.Y.) district and giving Democrats an upper hand. 

Additionally, the map makes New York’s 24th Congressional District, currently held by retiring Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) and a major Democratic target, bluer.  

New York voters in 2014 created a bipartisan commission to draw congressional maps. But earlier this month that panel reached an impasse, handing the legislature the ability to redesign the state’s districts.

New York’s Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy slammed the proposed map as a clear attempt to help Democrats keep their majority on Capitol Hill in November. Democrats hold a five-seat majority in the House of Representatives and Republicans appear poised to take back control in November.

“These maps are the most brazen and outrageous attempt at rigging the election to keep Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. Voters spoke loud and clear in rejecting their partisan power grab last year and in 2014, but Democrats are circumventing the will of the people,” Langworthy said in a statement.

New York’s majority Democratic legislature is expected to vote on the map this week and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is expected to sign it.