New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on MSNBC’s “All In with Chris Hayes” to discuss the state’s response to redistricting efforts in Texas and related political developments.
During the interview, host Chris Hayes outlined recent moves by Texas Republicans to redraw congressional districts, which could shift five seats away from Democrats. He noted that changes to the Voting Rights Act have limited options for legal challenges, leading some Democratic leaders in blue states to consider their own strategies.
Governor Hochul addressed New York’s position: “Well, first of all, you’re absolutely right that we are fighting fire with fire. If they’re going to rig the system, I refuse to sit on the sidelines and let our democracy further erode any more than it already has under the Trump administration. So we’re all in for this. Just like Chris Hayes’ ‘All In,’ we are all in.”
She explained that New York cannot quickly change its congressional maps due to constitutional requirements: “So let me say this, we are different than California. I wish I could just call a special election and change it. I’d do it in a heartbeat. But we have a constitutional amendment process that’s required first. I’m willing to do that. I’m working hard with our legislative leaders to pass legislation immediately — as soon as they return in January — pass it in this current session of the Legislature, go to the next one, which is required, so it won’t be until 2027 we can get it on the ballot, but what would that mean is that in 2028, we could have different lines. Otherwise, we have to wait until 2032. And heaven help our country to find out what’ll happen with that length of time.”
Hochul said she intends to focus on upcoming elections: “But it’s not just that timing, I’m leaning hard into the ‘26 election. I’m going to do what we did back in 2024 when we won five out of seven battleground congressional seats and put all Democrats in those seats. So I’m looking at the next year already as to how we can support our party, our candidates, Hakeem Jeffries, and make sure that he is the Speaker before all this insanity continues.”
Hayes pointed out reforms meant to reduce partisan gerrymandering had unintended consequences for Democrats compared with Republican-led states like Texas.
When asked if Democrats were misled by supporting independent redistricting commissions rather than partisan approaches used elsewhere, Hochul responded: “I will say this, there were strong, good government advocates who really forced this issue in our state. My predecessor followed that. I’ll tell you right now, I’ve been an elected official for 30 years. I don’t believe in tying our hands behind our back, especially when we’re going against very aggressive opponents who have no trouble changing the rules in the middle of the game. So here we are. I’m left with the consequences, but this whole idea of having independent individuals who are not elected who don’t understand the system determine the fate of our country, it hasn’t worked and it’s not working now. Particularly when Donald Trump is literally disenfranchising millions of people in Texas.”
She added concerns about communities losing representation: “Particularly communities of color, will no longer have the elected official that they went to the ballot box and picked and decided to vote for; you’re going to sweep in Republicans instead? That is unconscionable. It deserves a strong reaction because extreme times call for extreme measures.”
The conversation shifted toward gun control following a recent shooting incident involving an assault weapon brought into New York from another state.
Hochul said: “You know what Chris I don’t know if any hearts will change, but how many more lives have to be lost because other states have not adopted the common sense gun safety laws that have made New York State the number one big state in America for not having people killed by guns. We are the safest big state.” She described attending a police officer’s funeral after a mass shooting and called again for federal action: “So I’m going to continue from the rooftops saying we need to do this and do it now; other countries have done it successfully. Why can’t we have the courage to do what’s right?”
Finally, Hayes asked about Hochul’s stance regarding endorsing Zoran Mamdani after his win in New York City’s mayoral primary.
Hochul replied: “We’ll have more conversations; I already started that… He’s taken a lot of positions that I don’t agree with but we have a lot of alignment on issues like affordability… So we’ll just have more conversations.”
The interview highlighted ongoing debates over redistricting procedures across states as well as continuing calls for national gun control measures.
