Ross Barkan: How New York Went Red
While the long-anticipated Red Wave did not sweep America on Tuesday as anticipated, one exception was blue New York.
While a Red Wave did not sweep America in the 2022 midterms as expected, New York did shift to the right.
Republicans won nearly every single closely called congressional seat in New York despite its historically strong Democrat identity.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Republican margin in the House of Representatives is expected to be narrow. Republican success in New York was key to retaking the majority.
KEY TAKEAWAYS: Ross Barkan is a writer focusing on New York politics. He lays out why New York felt the red wave more than most of the country:
The Democrat New York State Senate was unable to redraw congressional lines in its favor due to a deadlocked redistricting commission.
Democrats ignored or dismissed their constituents’ concerns over crime, and Republicans were able to take advantage.
Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul did not offer a compelling reason for her election, barely mentioning future plans apart from protecting abortion rights.
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