MESSAGE IN OPPOSITION OF UNFAIR RE-DISTRICTING

Assemblymembers Bichotte-Hermelyn and Cusick,

I am contacting you to express my opposition to your attempt to take away Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn’s voice in Congress.

As Democrat Party Chairs and State Assemblymembers, you had an inherent conflict of interest during the redistricting process. Unfortunately, you turned your back on your sworn duty as state legislators to uphold the laws and constitution of New York State, including the state constitution’s express prohibition against political gerrymandering, by voting for a redistricting plan that by adds liberal Park Slope to Staten Island’s congressional district.

You put your job as a Democrat Party Chair ahead of your responsibilities as a state legislator. This was a blatant attempt to rig the upcoming election and that’s wrong.

With two consecutive elected governors and an attorney general resigning from office, New Yorkers will no longer tolerate corruption by our government officials. I am writing to request that you immediately step down from either your Democrat Party position or your elected position in the State Assembly because you clearly are unable to reconcile this conflict of interest.

The residents of Staten Island, Southern Brooklyn and all New Yorkers deserve better.

Sincerely,
Your Name

Democrats across the nation have spent years railing against partisan gerrymandering, particularly in Republican states — most recently trying to pass federal voting rights legislation in Washington to all but outlaw the practice.

But given the same opportunity for the first time in decades, Democratic lawmakers in New York adopted on Wednesday an aggressive reconfiguration of the state’s congressional districts that positions the party to flip three seats in the House this year, a greater shift than projected in any other state.

The new lines would shape races in New York for a decade to come, making Democrats the favorites in redrawn districts currently held by Republicans on Long Island, Staten Island and in Central New York. They would also help tighten the party’s hold on swing seats ahead of what is expected to be a strong Republican election cycle, all while eliminating a fourth Republican seat upstate altogether.

SEND AN EMAIL: TELL ASSEMBLYMEMBERS CUSICK AND BICHOTTE-HERMELYN TO NOT TAKE AWAY OUR VOICE IN CONGRESS