It’s not just Democrats in the state Senate who are deeply disappointed with the Court of Appeals ruling on Thursday that backed the legality of the so-called 63rd Senate seat carved out of the Capital Region.

Assemblyman Karim Camara, the chairman of the Legislature’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus, in a statement this morning said the decision undermined political representation.

“It is quite shocking and disappointing that the Court of Appeals has struck down the challenge to blatantly partisan Senate lines. According to the Court, it is not unconstitutional to apply inconsistent formulas when determining something as serious as political representation. The stunning assertion that “consistent application” of one formula is not required, says that based on location certain constituents are entitled to better representation. This is a blatant attempt at retaining power and our politically neutral courts have upheld one of the most partisan drawing decisions ever, which many advocates believe, are an assault on the Voting Rights Act and were designed with the interest of maintaining a Republican controlled Senate. For the constituents of the downstate community the message is clear- your vote has been officially diminished and diluted.”

Camara was a vocal opponent of the redistricting plan approved by the Legislature on March 16 and voted against the deal, which included the start of an independent commission that would run the process in 2022.

The Obama administration’s Department of Justice last month announced in a letter that the plan adhered to the Voting Rights Act, despite complaints from minority groups that certain downstate districts and the new Senate seat violated the law.

The seat was drawn in a Republican friendly area that Democrats have argued helps extend the GOP’s majority.

Democrats have nearly exhausted their legal options on redistricting. A final lawsuit challenging the redistricting process remains in federal court.

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