Republican Rep. Malliotakis Critiques Democratic Gerrymandering Lawsuit

Republican Representative Nicole Malliotakis has criticized a lawsuit supported by Democrats that aims to include Staten Island’s congressional district in Lower Manhattan. She described it as a partisan effort to “silence” conservative voices in New York City.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court by the Washington, D.C.-based Marc Elias Group, claims that the current configuration of NY-11 undermines the voting rights of Black and Latino voters, allowing Republicans to maintain control. The suggested remedy involves redrawing the district boundaries to incorporate lower Manhattan, which leans Democratic.

Malliotakis expressed her concerns, suggesting that the lawsuit—which could potentially remove her from Congress, where she has served since 2021—is “completely frivolous and pointless.” She remarked, “This is yet another attempt by Democrats to silence voters in the only district that has ever elected a Republican.”

Notably, NY-11 stands as the sole Republican district among New York City’s five congressional areas, with Democrat Max Rose having been elected in 2019.

The contested NY-10, which includes lower Manhattan below 14th Street, is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Dan Goldberg. It hasn’t been held by a Republican since 1920.

Malliotakis also challenged the allegations of racial disenfranchisement regarding the current map, citing the approval of this map by prominent Democratic leaders, both of whom are African-American, just ahead of the 2024 elections. She called the claim that this configuration disenfranchises minorities “completely false” and “ridiculous.”

“It’s evident what their motivation is: to alter the rules and favor their party in the upcoming election. This lawsuit deserves to be dismissed,” commented a pro-Trump attorney.

Furthermore, the lawsuit exemplifies a broader trend of gerrymandering ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, in which all 435 House seats will be contested. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow 219-212 majority.

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has previously voiced her support for her party’s plans to reshape New York’s congressional districts in its favor, stating, “I may be the governor of New York, but I’m not going to sit quietly while Republicans dismantle our democracy.” She asserted, “If they rewrite the rules, so will we,” adopting a combative tone.

The Justice Department is reportedly monitoring the situation closely and may appeal in federal court should New York face a loss.

Malliotakis has expressed her readiness for a legal fight. “We’ve beaten them twice already, and we’re prepared to do so again, whether it’s in state court or on a federal level.” She added, “Every time I run for re-election, there’s been a redistricting battle.”