Press Releases

Pearl River, N.Y. – 8/5/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler released the following statement regarding Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent comments to ignore the state constitution’s ban on mid-decade redistricting and partisan gerrymandering, and the Independent Redistricting Commission. This comes on the heels of Hochul and Albany Democrats:

• Gerrymandering New York’s Congressional Maps in 2021 and 2024
• Circumventing the state constitution’s ban on no-excuse absentee voting 
• Changing the date of municipal elections for towns and counties 
• Changed the law only to allow election law challenges to be heard in Democrat controlled courts 
• Redrew Judicial Court districts to gain more Democratic majority districts

“Every voter in New York should be outraged by Kathy Hochul’s brazen disregard for the state constitution. Her full-throated endorsement of partisan gerrymandering is only about advancing her and her party’s political providence through the abuse of her office," said Congressman Lawler.

"I have always opposed partisan gerrymandering, and strongly disagree with the actions taken by Texas for mid-decade redistricting. However, this does not change the fact that New York voters have repeatedly made it clear that they support an independent redistricting commission to draw fair maps and strongly oppose mid-decade redistricting. Anyone who uses the Governor’s Mansion to foment political divides, rather than bridge them, is betraying the public trust and undermining the very democratic principles they were voted in to uphold," concluded Congressman Lawler.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

###