New York state, minus 2

On March 19, a panel of federal judges finally ended the bitter fight between the state’s Democratic and Republican leaders over new congressional lines. As a result of the 2010 census, the number of congressional districts in New York was reduced to 27 from 29. The new congressional lines were supposed to be approved by the State Assembly and Senate, but after months of bickering, both gave up, and the task was passed to the judges.

They were given two weeks to hand down a decision. As to the new map, the judges wrote, “New York has been willing to let even the last minute pass and to abdicate the whole of its redistricting power to a reluctant federal court.”

The map drawn by the court eliminates the mid-Hudson district, now represented by Democrat Maurice Hinchey, who is not seeking re-election. That territory has been split among the surrounding districts.

The other eliminated seat is the infamous district in Brooklyn and Queens once held by disgraced politician Anthony Weiner. Bob Turner, a Republican, won that seat in an upset victory last fall. Turner now plans to seek the Republican nomination to run against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in November.

The new congressional lines have turned New York into one of the more competitive states in the upcoming elections. The area I’m particularly concerned about is right here on Long Island. The seats held by Reps. Steve Israel (D), Carolyn McCarthy (D) and Peter King (R) have all become increasingly competitive.

King’s and Israel’s current districts were essentially divided into North Shore and South Shore. King will run in the South Shore 2nd District and Israel in the North Shore 3rd District. King’s new district will take in a large portion of the Town of Islip, North Amityville and Wyandanch in Babylon, which shifts over from Israel’s district. Israel has to run in Glen Cove and the Town of Oyster Bay, a more Republican area from King’s old district.

As a result, King is running in a district with more Democratic and minority voters. According to Newsday, “In the new district, 52 percent voted for President Barack Obama; 48 percent in the old one did.”