A redistricting proposal would combine deep blue Brooklyn with bright red Staten Island

By Brooklyn Magazine Staff

A proposed reworking of New York’s political maps is making unlikely bedfellows between conservative Staten Island and parts of staunchly liberal Brooklyn.

That could spell trouble for Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican congresswoman from Staten Island and the only GOP representative from New York City.

Under a partisan proposal from the Democratic-led state legislature, the 11th district would expand beyond the current area of Staten Island and some of Bay Ridge (as it is currently drawn, above) to also include Brooklyn’s most liberal neighborhoods including Sunset Park, Red Hook, Gowanus, Windsor Terrace and Park Slope.

Here’s a better look at the proposed Congressional District 11. The second photo shows the Brooklyn portion which would make it much easier for a Democrat to win. @NMalliotakis used to have Bay Ridge, now she has Park Slope and Sunset Park. pic.twitter.com/diNesNgJ3r

— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) January 31, 2022

Currently, Malliotakis, who defeated Democrat Max Rose in 2020, represents one of the more politically diverse districts—more purple than red or blue. Malliotakis herself is a frequent Fox News guest has voted against bolstering voting rights, the Build Back Better bill and abortion rights. If the state legislature approves the changes, her district would lose much of her more Republican-leaning constituency. Her record probably wouldn’t go over well in some of the neighborhoods she would represent.

Malliotakis told the New York Post that the gerrymandering “blatantly partisan map dilutes the voice of my constituents, defies the will of New York’s voters, and is a direct assault on the state constitution.”

Twitter was abuzz about who would be most likely to replace the congresswoman, currently in her first term, including Max Rose, an unemployed Bill de Blasio and even Pete Davidson.

Fact: 52% of the Biden voters in the Dem-proposed #NY11 still live on Staten Island, just 48% Brooklyn. Not bad primary math for Max Rose (D). https://t.co/4VGWS9e21y

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) January 31, 2022

Worth noting for this district that there is a Democratic candidate with the Italian last name for Staten Island, the progressive cred for Park Slope and the fundraising base to go on New York TV early: Bill de Blasio https://t.co/GEiHnSMc0w

— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) January 31, 2022

The only person who can unite these voters is Pete Davidson https://t.co/OTpllMDK0p

— Tara Palmeri (@tarapalmeri) January 30, 2022

Redistricting happens every 10 years following the census to account for population changes. The changes could be voted on as early as Wednesday with the finalization of the maps happening before March 1, which is when political candidates can start garnering signatures to run for office. Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has voiced support of the redistricting process, which would help her party, and is likely to approve the maps if they pass both chambers.