Hochul considers redistricting options in New York amid Texas GOP push: 'Fight fire with fire'

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering redistricting options in her state as Texas Republicans are attempting to redraw their congressional maps, saying Monday that her party has to "fight fire with fire."

"That is a true statement of how we’re feeling right now,” Hochul said alongside state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and several Texas state lawmakers, all Democrats.

“And as I’ve said, another overused but applicable phrase, ‘All’s fair in love and war.’ That’s why I’m exploring with our leaders every option to redraw our state congressional lines as soon as possible,” she continued, explaining that state legislative leaders were “on board.”

“We’re already working on a legislative process, reviewing our legal strategies, and we’ll do everything in our power to stop this brazen assault,” Hochul added.

On Sunday, Texas state House Democrats fled their state to deny Republicans a quorum, blocking the GOP from passing a congressional map that would give them five additional pickup opportunities.

Texas Democrats left their state for Illinois, Massachusetts and New York. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said Sunday that his state would protect Texas Democrats facing arrest and a daily $500 fine over breaking quorum.

In 2022, New York's House maps were struck down by a court for giving Democrats a partisan advantage. 

The state has a redistricting commission that draws its maps, which are subject to the state legislature's approval. Also, a state constitutional amendment must be passed in two consecutive sessions before going to voters, meaning New York Democrats wouldn’t be able to change the congressional maps in time for the 2026 election cycle.

Hochul noted those constraints, saying, “It is not the timeline that I would have preferred.”

“We’re going to also look at litigation strategies,” she said. “We’re in close conversations about options there, and so I would say this — we’re considering all options right now.”