Supreme Court Retains GOP District in NY, Giving Republicans Midterms Win-0311
The Supreme Court on Monday said it would keep New York’s current congressional map in place, temporarily blocking a lower court ruling that had found the map violated the Constitution by diluting the voting power of Black and Latino residents.
The unsigned emergency order did not include a vote count or written reasoning, which is typical for decisions issued on the court’s emergency docket. The decision allows the existing map to remain in place while appeals continue, making it likely the map will be used in the upcoming midterm elections, the New York Times reported.
The ruling was a victory for Republicans and could help them retain control of a closely divided House of Representatives.
Representative Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican whose district includes Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn, filed the emergency application after a state judge ordered her district to be redrawn.
In a statement, Malliotakis said the justices had “stopped the voters on Staten Island and in southern Brooklyn from being stripped of their ability to elect a representative who reflects their values.”
The case centers on New York’s 11th Congressional District, the only district in New York City currently held by a Republican.
The dispute is one of several mid-cycle redistricting battles that have reached the Supreme Court after President Donald Trump encouraged Republicans to pursue map changes that could strengthen the party’s position in Congress.
Texas redrew its congressional map, and California voters approved a ballot measure revising that state’s map in a way that favored Democrats.
In both instances, legal challenges were brought to the Supreme Court, and the justices allowed the new maps to be used for the midterms.
The New York case also unfolds as the court considers a separate voting rights dispute, Louisiana v. Callais, involving the creation of a second majority minority district in Louisiana.
A ruling in that case could have broader implications for congressional maps nationwide.
In the New York matter, the court’s three liberal justices dissented.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote in a 13-page dissent that the court had inserted itself into election law disputes during an active redistricting cycle.
“By granting these applications, the court thrusts itself into the middle of every election law dispute around the country, even as many states redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election,” Sotomayor wrote.
She warned that the decision could prompt more emergency appeals “without even bothering to ask the state courts first.”
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., writing in concurrence, said he supported blocking the lower court’s order.
He wrote that the lower court had engaged in “blatantly discriminated on the basis of race,” calling it “unadorned racial discrimination” that violated the Constitution.
The legal challenge began last October when four New Yorkers sued over the district held by Malliotakis.
The lawsuit was filed by the Elias Law Group, which has represented Democratic interests in redistricting cases.
In January, Manhattan Justice Jeffrey H. Pearlman ruled that the 2024 map showed a pattern of discrimination against minority voters and ordered the state to reconvene its Independent Redistricting Commission.
Pearlman previously served as special counsel to Governor Kathy Hochul.
Malliotakis filed her emergency application on Feb. 12 to Justice Sotomayor, who handles emergency matters from that region.
Court filings show that the Black and Latino population in the 11th District has grown to about 30 percent, up from 11 percent over the past four decades.
Despite that demographic shift, the district has become more conservative.
It was the only New York City district won by Donald Trump in 2016, and in 2020, he carried it over Joseph R. Biden Jr. by 24 percentage points.
That same year, Malliotakis defeated incumbent Democrat Max Rose.
My Husband Left Me in Rags for His Mistress. He Didn't Know My Billionaire Father Owned the Gala.
He took his mistress to the most prestigious gala in the city and left me standing in an old evening dress, then looked me in the eye and said, ""You'll only embarrass me."" He thought humiliating me would be the end of the story. He had no idea that one phone call I'd kept hidden for three years was about to shake everything he had built.
""You really planned to wear that?""
My husband's voice drifted up from the front entrance, cold enough to make my hands tremble. I stood frozen in front of the bedroom mirror, staring at the navy dress I had treasured since before we got married. The fabric was still elegant, but time had begun to show along the sleeves. I smoothed them anyway, hoping they looked less obvious.
Outside, Spencer Reed stepped out of his black SUV looking like the perfect CEO, every inch polished and confident. From the hallway, I heard our housekeeper, Mrs. Evelyn, gently ask if she should tell me it was time to come downstairs.
""There isn't any reason,"" Spencer answered without hesitation. ""Paisley's coming with me.""
His words hit harder than a slap.
I walked to the window and watched him adjust his cuff links without even glancing toward the house. Three years of marriage... and somehow I still kept convincing myself that if I stayed humble enough, patient enough, invisible enough, he would eventually love me.
I was wrong.
The sound of high heels echoed through the marble foyer.
Paisley Dawson slipped beside him wearing a shimmering gold gown that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. Around her neck sparkled a diamond necklace that cost more than I had probably spent on myself during our entire marriage.
She smiled sweetly before looking me up and down.
""So... you're the wife.""
Her eyes paused on my worn sleeves, and she laughed softly.
""Now I understand why Spencer never brings you anywhere.""
I waited.
Surely my husband would say something.
Anything.
Instead, he smiled at her.
""You look incredible.""
The room suddenly felt colder.
Paisley rested her hand possessively on his arm.
""The Apex Group charity gala isn't a place for someone dressed like... that,"" she said. ""Tonight will be filled with CEOs, senators, investors—people who actually matter. You'd only make Spencer look bad.""
Every word was carefully chosen to wound.
I turned to Spencer, refusing to let them see the anger building inside me.
He didn't defend me.
He didn't deny her words.
He simply offered Paisley his arm.
""We're late.""
That was all.
I stood silently as the front door closed behind them. A few seconds later, the SUV disappeared through the gates, its taillights fading into the evening.
Mrs. Evelyn quietly walked over and touched my arm.
""I'm so sorry, Mrs. Reed. Would you like me to make you some dinner?""
I forced a faint smile.
""No... thank you.""
I climbed the stairs alone and shut the bedroom door behind me. Through the window I could see the skyline where tonight's gala was already beginning, lights glowing above the city like another world I was never meant to enter.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message.
Unknown number.
When I opened it, my stomach dropped.
It was a selfie from the back seat of Spencer's SUV.
Paisley leaned against him with a smug grin, flashing a peace sign while Spencer's reflection appeared beside her in the window.
Below the photo she had written:
""By the time tonight is over, he'll belong to me completely. Have fun waiting at home.""
I didn't cry.
Instead, I walked to my vanity, opened the lowest drawer, and pulled out a small red velvet box I hadn't touched in three years.
Inside rested a SIM card.
The one I promised myself I'd never need again.
I slipped it into my phone.
Only one contact appeared.
Dad.
My thumb hovered over the screen before I finally pressed Call.
One ring.
Two.
Three.
Then I heard the voice I hadn't allowed myself to hear since I walked away from my family.
""Phoebe?""
His voice sounded older... but the concern was still there.
My throat tightened.
""Dad...""
For a moment I couldn't speak.
Then the words finally escaped.
""I want to come home.""
Silence.
Long enough to make my heart pound.
Finally, my father—Raymond Harrell, the billionaire whose name could open almost any door in the country—answered with a voice trembling from emotion.
""My little girl...""
Another pause.
""I'm coming to get you.""
In that instant, everything changed.
Spencer believed tonight would elevate his empire.
He had no idea the most powerful man he'd ever unknowingly offended was already on his way.
