Governor Kathy Hochul says she can’t schedule a special election to fill the 23rd Congressional District seat formerly held by Tom Reed because Reed has yet to submit an official resignation letter.
Related: Special election for Rep. Tom Reed’s seat will likely be in late July or early August
Localsyr.com quotes the Governor as saying Reed has not submitted a letter that complies with the requirements of Public Officers Law Section 31. The law requires a Congressman to submit a resignation letter to the New York Secretary of State. A Reed spokesperson says the Reed camp is in touch with the Governor’s office in an effort to “get this issue worked out.” Reed announced his resignation on the House floor earlier this month, and went to work at the Prime Policy Group in Washington. His official Congressional website lists his seat as vacant.
Reed stepped down after a former lobbyist accused him of sexual misconduct. Reed issued an apology and announced that he had a problem with alcohol.
Related: Congressman Tom Reed announces retirement, effective immediately
Reed was first elected in what was then the 29th District in 2010. He won re-election five times in the 23rd District.
The news is the latest in a chaotic election season. After election maps drawn by Democrats in the legislature were ruled unconstitutional, a court-appointed special master drew new Congressional maps, leading to some candidates dropping out, others re-entering and some switching to run in new districts. This year’s primary elections have been moved from June to August.
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