Politics on the Hudson

On “Andrew Cuomo 2010” letterhead, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he supports an independent redistricting commission in 2012 and believes the next governor should veto any partisan redistricting plan.

But, of course, Cuomo offered a caveat that he’s not yet a candidate for said position, and “should I become a candidate, please know that the views stated above would reflect my position and my pledge of support for the same.”

Cuomo penned the letter to former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, who today launched the group New York Uprising, which is aimed at reforming Albany and in particular getting lawmakers and gubernatorial candidates to commit to an independent redistricting in 2012.

Koch explained how New York legislators agree to draw lines that benefit the party in power and incumbents, leading to lopsided elections.

“You want to have a level playing field for candidates who are incumbents and people who are insurgents,” Koch said during the news conference from his Manhattan law offices. “You don’t want it stacked, which is the way they do it in favor of the incumbent.”

Koch was able to get a letter of support from Cuomo and signed pledges from the three Republican gubernatorial candidates—Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, former Rep. Rick Lazio and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino.

The PAC plans to raise about $250,000; Koch said he put in $10,000 himself. Koch has some powerful allies as trustees with the group, including Cuomo’s father and former three-term governor Mario Cuomo and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Signed Pledges

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