By Democrats are “defending democracy” again. A fierce political showdown is unfolding in New York’s state legislature over the timing of a special election to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has been nominated for a diplomatic post by former President Donald Trump. Democratic lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow Gov. Kathy Hochul to delay the special election until the November general election—a move Republicans argue is a strategic effort to deprive the GOP of a crucial House vote.
The bill, introduced on Friday, is expected to pass in the Democrat-controlled legislature, adding to already intense partisan tensions, writes Politico.
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.
Hochul did not comment on the legislation after its introduction, but recently spoke favorably about the idea.
“I’ll tell you what a very short time frame does: It favors people who are already elected officials versus a citizen who wants to run because there’s a lot involved in this,” the Democratic governor said. “So you’re actually denying more opportunities for people to run who don’t already hold elected office.”
Jeffries’ office did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
The district, stretching from the outskirts of Albany to the Canadian border, has been under Stefanik’s tenure for a decade. She continues to hold office pending Senate confirmation of her nomination—an uncertainty that tempers speculation about the district’s immediate political future. Were she to vacate the seat now, a special election would likely follow in the spring. While local Republicans have yet to settle on a nominee, the eventual contender—bolstered by the district’s entrenched partisan leanings—would enter the race as the presumptive frontrunner.
Under current state law, the governor must designate a special election date within ten days after the vacancy gets created. That date must be between 70 and 80 days later.
Republicans have sharply criticized the proposed delay, accusing Democrats of political maneuvering to suppress GOP influence. “These shameless Albany politicians can’t win on their disastrous policies like sky-high crime, out-of-control taxes, or an illegal migrant crisis they created, so they’re resorting to using Albany swamp tactics,” charged Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, who has called for a federal investigation into the matter.
“This is an anti-democratic power grab by Albany Democrats, drunk on the power of one-party rule, to set elections whenever it benefits them, even if that means New Yorkers go without due representation in government,” state Republican chairman Ed Cox said in a statement to the Albany Times Union.
“Democrats posted this legislation on a Friday evening like the cowards they are, hoping New Yorkers aren’t paying attention to this electoral heist,” he added. “But we are — and Republicans at the state and federal level will use every tool at our disposal to fight this corruption. We call on the Department of Justice to begin an immediate investigation into this subversion of democracy — and we’ll see the Democrats in court.”
U.S. Rep. Michael Lawler, a Hudson Valley Republican who is a possible 2026 candidate for governor, sent a formal letter to the Justice Department asking it to explore a racketeering investigation related to the Democratic proposal.
If enacted, the law would leave the district without representation for months—potentially influencing the balance of power in Congress and stalling the Trump agenda.
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