Having just Voted to Return Five-Term U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY R-21st District) to Congress, Voters will go Unrepresented temporarily.
Stefanik, has Accepted an Appointment from President-Elect Trump (R) to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, an Appointment that does require Senate Confirmation.
“I will forever be grateful to my beloved constituents in New York’s 21st Congressional District for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to work my very hardest to serve and give them a voice at the highest levels of Congress,” Stefanik said in a lengthy Statement released after News broke Monday of Her Appointment.
“Ten years ago, Upstate and North Country voters took a chance on a young, first-time, unknown candidate who very few believed could win. I was proud to be the youngest woman elected to Congress at the time and to earn their overwhelming vote of confidence in six general elections.”
She ended the Statement by saying, “No matter where this journey takes us, Upstate New York — the cradle of the American Revolution — will always be my heart and home."
To take up Her new Post, Stefanik, currently the House Republican Chair and the Third most Powerful Republican in the House, will have to Resign Her Congressional Seat, although it is Not known when She will do that. Under the Federal Constitution, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) would then call for a Special Election to fill Her Seat. The Timing and Specifics of Special Elections are left up to Individual States.
In New York, such Special Elections typically happen about Three months after the Resignation, said Luke Perry, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Utica University and Director of the Utica University Center of Public Affairs and Election Research.
That means that Voters in Rome and Northern Oneida County who, thanks to Redistricting, Voted in the 21st District for the First time this November, will have to Vote in the District a Second time in just a few months. In the meantime, the Seat, and possible other Seats will remain Vacant.
When a Senator Resigns, the Constitution allows the Governor to Appoint someone to fill the Seat Temporarily, until the Special Election. But that Rule does Not apply to House Seats.
After the House Voted to Expel former U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY-3rd District), on Dec. 1st, 2023, a Special Election was held Two and a half Months later, on Feb. 13th, in Queens and Nassau County. Democrat Tom Suozzi (D), a former Congressman, was Elected to replace the Republican Santos.
A Seat that could remain Vacant for a few months, is Not the most significant Local consequence of Stefanik’s Appointment, Perry said. Partisanship aside, the good news for the Region in the Redistricting that divided Oneida County between the 21st District and the 22nd District, which includes Utica and Southern Oneida County, was getting a Representative with Stefanik’s Clout and Seniority, He said.
“The biggest implication for the North Country and our region is the loss of power and influence when Rep. Stefanik leaves office,” He said. “Stefanik is one of the top leaders in the House. This uniquely enables her to bring federal money to NY-21 and influence policymaking.”
Now the 21st will, like the 22nd, end up with a Freshman Representative with neither Seniority nor a Leadership position, Perry said.
Ttwo of the Leading Candidates for the Seat, Both are Members of the NYS Assembly, Democrat Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake, and Chris Tague (R-of Schoharie), both serve on the State Assembly Agriculture Committee.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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