Newly drawn congressional districts that shift lines in Saratoga County are proving to be a boon to some, but not for others.
The others, it seems, are Republicans.
Congressional districts were redefined after the 2010 census, and the New York’s number of districts has dropped from 29 to 27. A federal court drafted the lines after State Assembly and Senate were unable to complete the task.
Southern Saratoga sits in what is to become the most northern reaches of the 20th District. North of Saratoga Springs will be the expansive 21st reaching up to the Canadian border. The new 20th District also encompasses areas like Albany and Schenectady and has a higher number of Democrats— and that is not sitting well with some Republican leaders.
Many Republican leaders in Saratoga County feel that this process yielded districts that are more focused at keeping officials in office, rather than representing the people.
Clifton Park GOP Committee Chairman Brian Telesh’s sentiments echo what other members of his party in the county feel about how the process was carried out.
“I’m actually very, very disappointed that the Legislature just failed to do its constitutional obligation and complete this process. And now New York is kind of the laughingstock of the nation because we had to go under federal supervision to have a judge to draw lines, similar to how the federal government needed to supervise the segregation of the South,” he said.
Telesh said he’s embarrassed to have New York, which he characterizes as “a trailblazer,” being put in the position where Clifton Park, a suburban, rural and agricultural community, is lumped into an urban congressional district.
“There’s nothing really in common other than the population exodus from those places to come to move to places like Clifton Park,” he said.
Telesh blamed both parties for the way redistricting lines fell, and said they knew this was coming and decided to “wash their hands of it.”
Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, has represented much of Saratoga County since 2011, and will be headed to the 19th district where, if elected, he’ll be representing much of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys.
Bill Smith, chairman for the Malta Republican Committee for thepast 10 years, said he was “very disappointed” to lose Gibson.
“He’s been a great congressional representative, but unfortunately any time you redistrict somebody gets affected and this time it’s Malta,” Smith said.
Gibson, a retired Army officer, said, “This reminds me of my experiences in the U.S. military. My wife Mary Jo and I, we would get to a new post and I’d be focused on the new mission … the families and soldiers would get close and then it would be done and you’d have to move to a different post.”
He has emotions and said he is sad not to have the opportunity to serve the many friends he’s made in Saratoga, Warren and Essex counties. Hesaid that those friendships would continue, though.
“I’ll always be there for folks who need help and I’ll be a strong advocate for Upstate New York. I’m also very excited. With the new map comes new opportunity and challenges and new friendships await. We have 81 new towns and we’re in the process of planning to get out to all the towns, met some already and getting to know them and giving them a stronger voice in theU.S. Congress,” said Gibson.
The Independence Party of New York has endorsed Gibson in what will become the 19th Congressional District.
Republicans in the new 20th District are supporting Bob Dieterich of Scotia as their candidate for Congress. His office releasedthe following statement:
“The ruling by the court on the congressional lines for the new20th Congressional District is final. I am saddened for losing the opportunity to represent the wonderful people of Schoharie and Fulton Counties but excitedabout Saratoga County. I have met some wonderful people and groups in Saratoga County and am very encouraged with their support and friendship.”
Scott Hommel, a representative from Dieterich’s office, said, “The folks in Saratoga County are fantastic they’ve been very supportive and they were very supportive to Congressman Gibson and they’ve lined up behind Bob Dietrich. …We are in discussions with the Independence Party and endorsed by the republican chairman in the district and the conservatives.”
Dietrich will be taking on Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, who is in his fourth year in Congress and has represented the cities of Albany, Schenectady, Amsterdam and Troy for that time.
George Cain, first vice chairman of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, said from what he sees, things look very positive for city Democrats.
“Everybody thinks we’re in a much better position now. …We’revery happy about Paul (Tonko), he’s been in the area for some time so we’re comfortable with him, he’s knowledgeable and supportive. And, we have a good candidate in Carrie Warner running for state Assembly,” said Cain.
Tonko released the following statement:
`Iam happy that the process has finally come to a conclusion and that the voters of our area can be certain which district they will be a part of. I am saddened to lose Schoharie, Fulton and Western Montgomery Counties – especially those areas that we have continued to fight for after last year’s flood. However, I look forward to continuing to work with the winner of the newly drawn 19th Congressional District to further those efforts. I am excited for the opportunity to represent Saratoga Springs and other new areas of Saratoga County. The newly drawn 20th Congressional District will surely be a national leader in high-tech manufacturing, clean energy jobs and cutting edge research with the inclusion of CNSE, GlobalFoundries, GE, higher education centers and innovative small businesses all represented by a single voice.`
