STATEN ISLAND (WABC) — Appeals can be expected after a judge ordered New York to redraw its 11th Congressional District, which is now held by a Republican.<\/p>\n
Incumbent Nicole Malliotakis says if need be, she will take the matter all the way to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n
A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled the current district disfavors minority voters.<\/p>\n
The ruling could possibly lead to flipping the only New York City Republican House seat from red to blue.<\/p>\n
“We were surprised when they initially took up the case to begin with because it is completely meritless,” Malliotakis said.<\/p>\n
Malliotakis has represented District 11, which covers Staten Island and some of South Brooklyn, since 2021.<\/p>\n
“The fact that a Washington law firm is trying to come in to change this map, to silence the voices of the people of this district so they can tilt the scale to ensure that a Democrat wins this election is wrong,” Malliotakis said.<\/p>\n
Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman, a Democrat, who previously served as special counsel to Governor Kathy Hochul, ruled that the district disenfranchises the growing number of black and latino voters.<\/p>\n
“They’re somehow claiming that the district disenfranchises minorities when I’m the first minority as a half-Hispanic woman to be elected to represent this district. And the resolution that the plaintiffs proposed was to add more white liberals from Manhattan into the district. It is ludicrous,” Malliotakis said.<\/p>\n
Political analysts say the redistricting fight is part of a bigger battle.<\/p>\n
“This ruling is part of a political arms race that was started when President Trump urge even demanded that Republican states, the governors and legislators redraw lines so that the Republicans would have a shot at winning more congressional seats,” Lawrence Levy, Hofstra University Dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies, said.<\/p>\n
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn praised the judge’s ruling.<\/p>\n
“Republicans started this gerrymandering fight. Democrats are going to end it,” Jeffries said.<\/p>\n
If the House flips to Democratic control this November, Jeffries would become the House Majority Leader.<\/p>\n
Staten Island Democrats are also siding with the judge.<\/p>\n
“That decision reinforced institutional boundaries and protected the legitimacy of the democratic process,” Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Charles D. Fall said.<\/p>\n
The New York judge wants the state to redraw the district maps by February 6th.<\/p>\n
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis made it clear that she is appealing.<\/p>\n
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