Ackerman says both halves of his current district are 'attractive' options
Ackerman with Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki. Rep. Ackerman, via flickr
6:00 pm Feb. 29, 2012
Representative Gary Ackerman, who has been the subject of a number of redistricting rumors in recent weeks, signaled today that he would run for re-election despite the potential splitting of his current district between Long Island and Queens.
"It appears the legislative parties have created two plans," Ackerman said in a statement that was relayed by a spokesperson. "One with an attractive and enticing Long Island district, including constituencies I have had the great pleasure of representing for two decades. The other, with an attractive and comfortable district in Queens, containing my political base and longtime roots, most of which I have represented during my 34 years in public office. I commend the legislators for their work."
According to reports, the maps proposed by both houses re-draw districts at the intersection of Queens and Nassau Counties.
Senate Republicans are reportedly eliminating Ackerman's district, while Assembly Democrats would pit at least a couple of incumbents against each other.
“There’s a whole conglomeration of them in Queens and Nassau that would be consolidated,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told Gannett.
"Clearly Turner would be running, and significant portions of his district would be intact. Ackerman would be part of a district. [Representative Joe] Crowley would have a part of the district. It would be a fair fight for the second seat,” said Silver, according to Gannett, though it was unclear exactly what he meant.
Last week, Ackerman told me he didn't believe the rumors and planned on running for re-election, even if that entailed a contested primary.
