I wish I was bringing you the news that Senator Chuck Schumer was retiring, but we all know he’s too ambitious for that. Oh well, we get the consolation prize of far-left Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s (D-NY22) retirement. This news is extra special, because it could shape the redistricting process in New York. Roll Call has the details.
Before Hinchey’s decision was made public, one influential New York Democrat told Roll Call that “we’re in utter chaos here” with redistricting. Hinchey’s decision to vacate the 22nd district after 10 terms in Congress will temporarily add confusion and unpredictability to the decennial redraw, but it might spell the beginning of the end of the process.
New York lost two seats in reapportionment, leaving the Legislature with tough decisions about which Members to draw out of their districts. The conventional wisdom in the state remains that the split-control Legislature will eliminate one Democratic district and one Republican district. Plugged-in Democrats believe the Democratic district that will be dismantled may now be the 22nd.
“Some would say game over,” another New York Democrat said. “Because [Democratic New York Assembly Speaker] Shelly [Silver] doesn’t have to make a hard decision on the Democrats — and then it’s Turner for Republicans,” the source said, referring to Rep. Bob Turner (R), whose 9th district may be the GOP seat that is dismantled in the redraw. (Read More)
There was a lot of speculation about the district I live in (NY-25) and how that will effect Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle’s reelection campaign. It will probably be a tough election, but not losing the seat to redistricting at least gives her a fighting chance.
Tags: ann marie buerkle, Maurice Hinchey, new york, NY22, redistricting, retirement
It’s a little like Barney Frank retiring or the iceberg that sunk the Titanic finally melting. I mean, good riddance and all that, but think of the damage already done.
Why do I get a feeling he’s calling it a career because NY-22 will be redistricted beyond recognition or out of existance altogether?
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I always thought that he belonged in a nut house. Maybe he’ll end up in one, now that he doesn’t have Congress to cover for him.
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