House – 5/16/23

NY-18:  Statewide Nominee Considers House Race:   Retired New York City police officer Alison Esposito (R), who was Rep. Lee Zeldin’s 2022 running mate in the Governor’s race, said she is considering launching a bid against Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner) in the Hudson Valley’s 18th District.  In 2022, Rep. Ryan won a tight 49.6 – 48.3% victory over then-Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R), who received strong reviews as a candidate. 
The 18th, which contains parts of Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties, will be a seat the Republicans contest and it remains to be seen if Ms. Esposito, Mr. Schmitt, or another individual becomes the ultimate party nominee.  At this point, there is no indication that Mr. Schmitt is preparing for another congressional run.
South Carolina:  SCOTUS to Hear Redistricting Case:   The US Supreme Court announced yesterday that the justices will hear the Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP case in the Fall term.  Earlier, a three-judge panel declared that the state’s 1st District, the Charleston anchored seat that Rep. Nancy Mace (R) represents, as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, and now the high court will hear arguments from both sides. 
The move is interesting since the justices are currently preparing a ruling on the Alabama racial gerrymandering case that is thought to be the vehicle for a landmark ruling.  SCOTUS hearing the South Carolina case makes the coming Alabama ruling even more curious. ​