Former Democratic New York Governor David Paterson blasted Gov. Kathy Hochul and his own party over a plan to redraw congressional maps and cut Republican House seats.
The redistricting push would strip anti-gerrymandering protections from the state constitution.
Hochul is backing the partisan effort because Democratic lawmakers have her outvoted and want the change, Paterson told 77 WABC’s ‘Cats Roundtable,’ according to the New York Post.
“It’s a real problem.”
The former governor said Hochul is “almost taking a lead on it just to maintain that relationship” with the legislature.
The proposed amendment would let a simple majority in both chambers override maps from New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission. It would also allow congressional lines to be redrawn between census cycles, according to Spectrum News.
Lawmakers gave the measure its first approval on June 3. The proposal targets future elections — it must clear the legislature again next year and win voter approval in late 2027.
Ex-NY Gov. David Paterson rips Hochul, Dems for pushing partisan redistricting https://t.co/OCgFMPv1vSpic.twitter.com/ULh5FeroUP
— New York Post (@nypost) June 7, 2026
If voters approve it, Democrats could pick up two to three House seats in 2028, according to Spectrum News.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie defended the move by pointing to redistricting battles nationwide. “I think this thing about asking New York to play fair while everybody else is playing ruthless, I think it’s not right to ask us to do that,” he told Gothamist.
Texas Republicans moved first at President Trump’s urging and sought new lines for 2026. New York’s plan targets later cycles, according to NBC News.
Paterson warned the partisan warfare is splitting the country.
“We’re moving toward a society that is going to be Balkanized.”
He called the trend a path toward a “dire, dire situation” in remarks aired by the New York Post.
