The political climate in New York State is heating up as city and state lawmakers prepare for the upcoming year. Since the presidential election in November, New York has fought to ensure its values would not be diminished, but it has resulted in a huge partisan rift. On local and state level politics, New York Republicans have always kept a consistent incumbency track compared to their Democratic counterparts who have mostly held federal and executive seats. But Mayor de Blasio of New York City has had enough.

At a campaign event over the weekend, the mayor told his fellow party members that Republican control of the state senate will impact New York City and the future of the United States. His frustration comes from the GOP power coming from Albany and how the Democrats have bent to their will by working in caucuses such as the Independent Democratic Conference. The IDC is considered to have a “power sharing arrangement with Republicans.” de Blasio argues that if the Republicans hold power on the state level, logistical moves such as redistricting will just be the domino effect of Democrats losing city, state, and even congressional seats. This fear by de Blasio has sparked the Republicans to rebuke his statements tenfold, by stating that there is no place for a New York City Mayor to place his opinion in state policy. So the question seems to be, as a party advocate, should de Blasio have a say in these matters or should city and state officials be separate on policy?