Now that he has secured a pledge in support of independent, nonpartisan redistricting from all four gubernatorial hopefuls, former Mayor Ed Koch is looking for the same from New York’s congressional delegation, who, along with members of the state Legislature, would be directly impacted by that reform.

Koch’s PAC, New York Uprising, announced today that it has taken its “second step in its drive to reform Albany” by sending its redistricting reform pledge to each of the state’s 29 House members – Democrats and Republicans (all two of them) alike.

“There’s been a steep decline in the public’s faith in government, and the willingness of Congressional candidates to sign this pledge would show an understanding of the need to take real steps to bring reform and restore public faith in government,” Koch said in a press release.

I can’t imagine that the Democratic members of Congress – some of whom have been known to hire lobbyists to represent them when it’s redistricting time at the Capitol – are going to be eager to sign on to this, particularly at a time when New York stands to lose at least one House seat.

(Perhaps the Republicans, endangered species that they are, even given the likelihood that they’ll pick up seats this fall, will be more amenable).

If Senate President Malcolm Smith’s comments at the DRC straw poll over the weekend are any indication, redistricting reform isn’t exactly popular in the Senate, either, where Democrats are eager to finally get back at the GOP by redrawing them out of existence – assuming they manage to hold onto the majority in November.

NOTE: New York Uprising’s Mark Botnick points out the PAC is also sending the same letter to all congressional challengers, who will likely be more open to signing it.

Congressional Pledge

Share|