New York Governor Kathy Hochul backtracked after suggesting she would bypass the democratic process by hand-picking a replacement to fill the seat of former Republican Rep. George Santos who was expelled from the House of Representatives on Friday.
As Democrats and their media allies celebrated the ouster of the embattled congressman who was ultimately done in by members of his own party, Hochul said the quiet part out loud about the big win of shaving down the already razor-thin GOP majority in the lower chamber.
“I am prepared to undertake the solemn responsibility of filling the vacancy in New York’s 3rd District. The people of Long Island deserve nothing less,” she wrote on X, previously known as Twitter, seeming to dispense with the formalities of holding a special election that might have been won by Republicans.
(Screenshot: X)
Hochul’s dictatorial whims were quickly called out by the platform’s community notes which pointed out: “House Representatives must be elected by the people of the district they represent. The Governor in the State of New York cannot appoint a replacement member. The Governor can call a special election to fill the vacancy.”
Responding to a request from Fox News Digital, a representative from the governor’s office clarified that “she intends to hold a special election.”
Hochul’s announcement that she would personally choose a replacement for Santos remains up on X as of early Saturday morning where it has received over 2 million views and drawn feedback from users who slammed the despotic Democrat.
To be clear, your solemn responsibility is calling a special election within 10 days from the date of the vacancy. You do not get to appoint. Despite your best efforts to gerrymander New Yorks maps, we have a constitution and laws you must follow. https://t.co/kS4LMerojN
— Mike Lawler (@lawler4ny) December 1, 2023
I’m well aware that you don’t know how a lot of stuff works, but you do realize you can either look it up or ask someone, right?!?!
The Constitution requires that vacancies must be filled by special election.
— Stephanie (@StephHoover8) December 1, 2023
This is a democracy. We don’t have our leaders selected for us. I know that’s what the Democrats are use to. That’s why they had Hillary and Biden as their party leaders but you can’t just pick who runs a congressional district.
— Daily Trite (@realDailyTrite) December 1, 2023
I guess this is proof that Botox causes brain damage. ♂️
— Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) December 1, 2023
Communist!
— Mike Engleman (@RealHickory) December 1, 2023
This is what happens when clueless are elected to office you people take a oath to a constitution you don’t even know
— USMC Lady Vet (@Arkypatriot) December 1, 2023
Another lawless power grab by NY Dems. Krooked @GovKathyHochul (D-NY) sends an X post implying but not explicitly saying she intends to fill the Santos seat illegally by appointment, hoping no one actually knows a special election is MANDATORY. Bad luck for her: people knew.
— James Higgins (@JamesEHiggins) December 1, 2023
Protect Democracy by not holding elections
Democracy is when the governor appoints
— Marc Escens (@Marc_Escens) December 2, 2023
It means they’re going to steal it and there’s nothing we can do about it.
— ₿ (@neshmoon) December 1, 2023
Hochul’s brazen authoritarianism likely has millions of New Yorkers nostalgic for the good old days of COVID strongman Andrew Cuomo.
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