NY-21: NY Dems consider calendar change that could keep Stefanik seat empty
New York lawmakers are discussing a bill that would give Gov. Kathy Hochul more time to set dates for special elections, which could leave Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s red North Country seat empty until the summer.
Democrats who control the state Assembly and Senate may introduce the bill as soon as Friday and vote on it Monday, multiple officials familiar with the talks told Gothamist. The discussions were first reported by the Capitol Pressroom.
If enacted, the proposal would allow New York’s Democratic governor to frustrate national Republicans, who currently control the House of Representatives by a margin of 218 to 215. President Donald Trump nominated Stefanik as ambassador to the United Nations, setting her up to become the third GOP congressmember to resign her seat if confirmed by the Senate. She appeared at a confirmation hearing last week, but her confirmation vote has not yet been scheduled.
Two other GOP congressmembers from Florida resigned their House seats after Trump named them to his cabinet, leaving their posts vacant until special elections scheduled for April 1 in the Sunshine State. If Stefanik is confirmed and steps down, too, the pending New York legislative maneuver could prolong the vacancy of her seat, which Republicans are favored to win.
https://gothamist.com/news/ny-dems-consider-calendar-change-that-could-keep-stefanik-seat-empty
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