ICYMI: Chairman Kracker: Democrats Vote to Gerrymander Our Courts to Rig Elections and Silence Voters

BUFFALO, NY - Erie County Republican Chairman Michael Kracker slammed Albany Democrats today after the State Legislature passed a partisan scheme to gerrymander New York’s judicial districts, undermining judicial independence and rigging the system to protect one-party rule.

“This is nothing short of a judicial gerrymander. Democrats in the Legislature have taken full control of New York’s courts, stacking the Court of Appeals, redrawing judicial maps to favor their party, and now advancing a bill that would put our courts firmly under the control of the Democratic machine,” Kracker said.

The legislation carves up judicial districts to remove duly elected Republican judges, consolidates election law cases in Democrat-friendly jurisdictions, and hands even more power to Democratic Party insiders.

“This blatant backroom power grab – pushed through without a single public hearing, Judiciary Committee review, or input from the Office of Court Administration or the New York State Supreme Court Justices Association – will erode public trust and inject raw partisan politics into what was once a respected, independent branch of government.”

Kracker also called out local Democrats in the Legislature who voted in lockstep with downstate leaders:

“Erie County Democrats like Sean Ryan and Jon Rivera shamelessly supported this bill. They didn’t stand up for our voters, our courts, or the rule of law; they stood with their party bosses to help rig the system.”

Kracker urged Governor Hochul to reject the legislation and stand with the people of New York:

“Governor Hochul has already had her constitutional appointment powers undermined by her own party. Now it’s up to her to show the courage to defend our courts and veto this disgraceful legislation. If she signs it, she will be just as complicit in this dangerous scheme to weaponize the judiciary and disenfranchise New Yorkers.”