Attorneys for the State Board of Elections commissioners, NY-11 citizen intervenors and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis have filed legal papers requesting the recusal of acting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Pearlman from presiding over litigation seeking to alter the boundaries of the 11th Congressional District.

Acting Justice Pearlman has an over 20-year record as a close advisor to Gov. Kathy Hochul and State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The request cites Pearlman’s legal representation of Stewart-Cousins in contested election cases and his role as a top aide and counsel to Kathy Hochul.

“Hochul and Stewart-Cousins have publicly stated their support for reopening congressional redistricting despite these issues having been extensively litigated in 2022 and 2024. Now they have a close ally and appointee sitting as judge over this new and legally suspect case. 

After having failed to gerrymander congressional districts in 2022, Hochul and Democrats now try to rig the process by having a close political ally sitting over the case. The public should be outraged.

Ed Cox
Chair, NY Republican State Committee
Albany, NY