BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

An attempt by state lawmakers to change laws that would delay election of a new member of Congress to replace Rep. Elise Stefanik is dead.

The news comes just days after state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced plans to introduce legislation that would change the timeline for special elections.

Had the legislation passed, Stefanik's NY-21 district could have gone without representation until the Nov. 4 general election. That would have resulted in an even slimmer Republican majority in the House of Representatives than the three-seat GOP advantage that now exists.

“While today’s success in killing this bill is an important win for our conference and the people of the 21st Congressional District, we must continue to fight for fair elections and representation in Congress,”  said Republican Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush who represents much of central and southern St. Lawrence County.

“The news that the Democrats have withdrawn their appalling election law bill is a major victory for the North Country and every person who cares about fair elections,” said state Republican Sen. Dan Stec, who represents eastern St. Lawrence County.

“This is a victory for all residents of the 21st Congressional District,” said state Sen. Mark Walczyk, a Republican who represents western St. Lawrence County. “The defeat of Bill S4588 means that our community will not be denied its rightful representation in Congress.

Stefanik has yet to be confirmed as President Donald Trump's ambassador to the United Nations. However it appears to be imminent.

The legislation died amid 0ngoing negotiations between Pres. Donald Trump and Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) told North Country This Week. 

Gray cited a Politico report indicating the election bill is being used as a point of leverage as Hochul and Trump negotiate the status of congestion pricing in New York City.

City & State New York is also reporting on the issue. View story here.

The proposed legislation would have significantly altered existing law, passed in 2021, that aimed to shorten the timeframe required for special elections.

"This bill attempts to shorten the time that an office remains vacant by mandating that the Governor call a special election to fill such vacancies and requiring the special election to occur sooner than the current law requires," the 2021 law reads.

One major hangup related to the proposed legislation revolved around Stefanik's likely resignation date.

If passed before her resignation, the legislation would likely have meant the special election date would be pushed from April to Nov. 4.

That would leave Stefanik's seat vacant for nearly the entire legislative session and the North Country without representation, critics of the legislation say.

A date for a vote to confirm Stefanik has not yet been set by the Senate, but Democrats have already rallied behind candidate Blake Gendebien, a Lisbon farmer, to run for the New York 21st Congressional District.

For more, view earlier story.

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