Federal Judges Redraw Congressional Lines

A trio of "reluctant" federal judges released a redistricted congressional map of the state earlier this week after members of the state legislature did not complete the task themselves. Judges Reena Raggi, Gerard Lynch and Dora Irizarry ultimately accepted, almost in its entirety, a redistricting plan written by Magistrate Judge Roann Mann.

The plan, which shaves New York's congressional districts from 29 to 27, combines the southern portion of Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel's 17th District (Mt. Vernon and Yonkers) and the southern portion of Democratic Rep. Nita Lowey's 18th District (the Sound shore area) to form the state's new 16th District.

The newly drawn 17th District will combine the remaining portions of the 17th (Rockland County) and the 18th (central Westchester) with the southern central portion of 19th District, represented by Rep. Nan Hayworth (R–Mt. Kisco).

Lowey, who lives in Harrison, has said she will run to represent the 17th District in the upcoming election. Sound shore municipalities south of Harrison will no longer be represented by Lowey, and instead have become part of Engel's new 16th District. Lowey said in a statement that she is eager to serve the newly districted area.

"The newly-formed 17th Congressional District will include areas of Rockland County and northern Westchester that I have not previously represented," Lowey said. "I am eager to introduce myself to community leaders and residents throughout the district, share my record of accomplishment for our community and earn your vote."

In a March letter addressed to the plan's orchestrator Judge Mann, Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Nancy Seligson, Larchmont Mayor Joshua Mandel, Rye City Council member Catherine Parker and New Rochelle Council member Barry Fertel expressed opposition to the proposed changes.

"We need Nita Lowey to continue to fight for Long Island Sound and us with a continued focus on the shared interests between southern and central Westchester County. This vital issue in our communities is a prime example of the need to maintain continuity of representation for the cores of congressional districts, and we respectfully request that you consider adjustments to the current proposal to reunite these communities with such great shared interests," the letter said. 

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