New York City Mayor Edward Koch says we ought to “throw out the bums” like Assemblywoman Addie Jenne Russell of Theresa.

Mr. Koch, one of the leaders of New York Uprising, is part of a statewide group that has been asking candidates for the state legislature to sign a pledge to agree to nonpartisan redistricting; balancing the state budget; and ethics oversight and enforcement.

Mr. Koch, and most good government advocates, includinng the Brennan Center for Justice, Citizens Union, Common Cause NY, League of Women Voters/NYS and N.Y. Public Interest Research Group, argue that New York State needs to create an impartial board to draw new election districts in line with the 2010 census.

“Unless this is done, the Assembly and Senate will draw lines that will all but guarantee the election of incumbents over challengers and the continued control of the legislature by the party in power in each House,” Mr. Koch predicts.