New York Governor Stands With Quorum-Breaking Texas Democrats, Pledges to Fight GOP ‘Fire with Fire’

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) stood alongside Texas House Democrats Monday, condemning what she called a “legal insurrection” by Republicans in Texas and beyond — vowing that New York would not sit quietly as democracy is dismantled state by state.

The Texas Democrats left Austin this week to deny quorum in the Texas House, temporarily blocking a vote on a plan, endorsed by President Donald Trump, that would redraw congressional lines mid-decade to secure Republican dominance before the 2026 midterm elections.

Six of the 57 Democratic lawmakers that fled joined Hochul in Albany.

Hochul made clear that what’s happening in Texas isn’t just a local fight but part of a broader authoritarian playbook. And New York, she said, is prepared to push back with equal force.

“These brave public servants are taking a stand against a blatant power grab that’s happening in their state as we speak,” Hochul said. “This is a war. We are at war. And that’s why the gloves are off and I say bring it on.” 

Hochul directly called out Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) for what she described as authoritarian behavior — including Paxton’s threats to arrest lawmakers who left the state.

“The Texas Attorney General, who is obsessed with going after doctors in our state, he’s threatened to arrest each and every one of them if they don’t return to Austin,” she said. “This is not breaking the law. This is a legitimate process that’s been used before.”

Hochul’s remarks weren’t just defensive — they were offensive. She announced that she and top New York legislative leaders are now exploring ways to redraw New York’s own congressional maps in response.

“If Republicans are willing to rewrite these rules to give themselves an advantage, then they’re leaving us no choice. We must do the same,” she said. “You have to fight fire with fire.”

Hochul confirmed that Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins are “on board” with launching a legislative review of New York’s redistricting process, signaling the possible repeal of the state’s independent redistricting commission. That commission, formed by constitutional amendment in 2014, has come under fire in recent years after its maps were rejected and overridden by courts.

The decision to pursue mid-decade redistricting in New York would mark a clear message that Democratic-led states are done playing by old rules while Republican-led states rewrite them at will.

Hochul warned that the public is fed up — and Democrats must respond.

“They’re done with the chaos. They’re done with the cruelty,” Hochul added. “And I would say they’re ready to vote Republicans out of power in Washington, certainly in the upcoming 2026 elections.”