Hudson Valley Congress members and candidates weigh in on proposed district lines
The lines released by the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission largely match the map drawn by the Special Master in 2022 and used in the midterm elections that helped Republicans flip several seats.
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Reactions from all corners of New York poured on Thursday after a House map was approved by the New York Independent Redistricting Commission. Current lawmakers, former politicians and congressional candidates all weighed in on what the state Legislature should do.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
In the hotly contested Democratic primary in the 16th Congressional District, Westchester County Executive George Latimer wrote, "This is only the next step in a long process; it is now in the hands of the legislature, and we are confident in the ability of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie to complete this process fully and fairly. Regardless of the timing or the ultimate disposition of the lines, we look forward to continuing to bring our message of progressive results that benefit the people in our area, in whatever neighborhood they live and in whatever jurisdictions are ultimately assigned to CD-16."
His opponent, Rep. Jamaal Bowman did not release a statement or respond to News 12's request for comment Thursday night.
In the 17th Congressional District, Republican Congressman Mike Lawler wrote, "New Yorkers have made their voices heard loud and clear from the onset of this redistricting process -- they demand fair and competitive maps. Following the collapse of the unconstitutional Hochul-mander, New Yorkers had fair representation and Congressional maps for the first time in decades, by the constitutional amendment adopted in 2014. The New York State Legislature must act swiftly to adopt and pass these bipartisan maps to prevent complications with the petitioning process and the upcoming primary season. Any effort to alter these maps should be viewed as another attempt at a partisan gerrymander and should be rejected writ large. I urge all Congressional candidates, including my opponent, to join me in calling on the Legislature and the Governor to expedite this process for the benefit of all New Yorkers."
Link to Map in PDF format:
https://www.nyirc.gov/storage/plans/20240215/congressional_plan.pdf
Link to Interactive Map: https://www.nyirc.gov/congressional-plan-2024
His presumed Democratic opponent in November, former Rep. Mondaire Jones did not release a statement or respond to News 12's request for comment, either.
Both candidates reacted in the race for the 18th Congressional District, which is one of two Hudson Valley districts expected to see the most dramatic shifts in lines.
Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan wrote, "No matter where the district lines fall, no matter which Trump-picked extremist they run against me, the choice this fall is clear: I'm running on a positive vision for the future of the Hudson Valley – to deliver economic relief, to protect and expand our fundamental American freedoms, and to fix the problems facing our country. The far-right only looks backward, fear-mongering and sowing division with no regard for actually delivering results. The stakes in November couldn't be higher – we don't need any more partisan provocateurs in Congress, we need Patriots who want to see our country succeed."
His presumed Republican opponent in November, former gubernatorial candidate Alison Esposito wrote, "New Yorkers from all parties agreed that Kathy Hochul and her Democrat allies should not have been playing partisan games with Congressional lines. In 2022, New York's Congressional Districts were re-drawn after a lengthy process, creating fair, balanced maps. That did not stop New York Democrats from their games, and yet again, we are here re-drawing Congressional lines so close to an election. These current maps should stay in place, and Albany should stop with the political games that New Yorkers are sick and tired of. Pat Ryan again shows that he is one of the most corrupt politicians in New York. While most Congressional Districts remained the same. He was behind the scenes afraid, begging and making deals because he knew under the current maps that he could not get reelected. Lee Zeldin and I won this district in 2022 and Pat knew that I was going to win again. I'm not a career politician. I am and always will be a cop. These backroom deals are the worst of politics today and why so many Americans yearn for real leaders with America's best interest at heart. Not career politicians looking to save their necks. We are reviewing the new maps and will have further comments soon. The fight to save our state and country will never cease."
In District 19, Rep. Marc Molinaro wrote, "I didn't think it was necessary to revisit these maps to begin with. This process has dragged on way too long. Voters deserve clarity and this process needs to end."
His presumed Democratic opponent in November, in a rematch of 2022, Josh Riley did not react.
