NY Republicans call for racketeering investigation as Dems prepare to delay special elections

Albany Democrats introduced legislation late Friday that would allow them to significantly delay expected special elections in the state, triggering a formal call for a racketeering investigation by Hudson Valley Rep.Mike Lawler (R-NY).The move is meant to jam up House Republicans whose already razor thin majority would shrink further – and for longer – when North Country Rep.

Elise Stefanik (R-NY) resigns to serve in President Trump‘s administration as UN ambassador.The legislation, which could come up for a vote as soon as Monday, allows Gov.Kathy Hochul to set the special election date as the November general election.Hochul signaled earlier this week that she is on board with the effort which sources say is largely being driven by House Minority Leader and Brooklyn Rep.

Hakeem Jefferies (D-NY). “Shame on Hakeem Jeffries and Kathy Hochul for conspiring to deny residents of New York’s 21st Congressional District representation.This blatantly corrupt power grab reeks of racketeering and internationally subverts the will of voters in the North Country,” Lawler said.Lawler has sent a formal letter to Trump’s Department of Justice asking for a racketeering probe into Hochul as well as state Sen.

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins (D-Westchester) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx).“Their scheme to alter the schedule for the special election is a serious abuse of power that is more alike to election processes in authoritarian countries than anything we see in the United States,” the letter reads, calling Democrats’ scheme “textbook racketeering.”Lawler is joined by Rep.Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) on the letter.“This is a shameless, brazenly corrupt scheme to disenfranchise 750,000 New Yorkers and block President Trump’s agenda.

The federal Department of Justice needs to investigate Governor Hochul and both legislative leaders,” Assemblyman Matt Slater...