Final redistricting by a Special Master appointed by a Steuben County judge guts the voting map approved by Democrats. The same judge threw them out as unconstitutional, and New York’s highest court agreed. Big change for Roosevelt Island is certain. It’s only a question of how big.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Roosevelt Island’s Elected Officials Will Change with the Final Redistricting, But How Much?
You can see the new map here, thanks to Sylvan Klein. (Tip of the hat!)
Providing some welcome relief in consistency, Roosevelt Island keeps a friend in Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright. Seawright stepped up her support by passing RIOC reform legislation, this month.
But we don’t fare as well with her partner in that legislation on the Senate side. José Serrano, a consistent supporter whose efforts were blunted by Republicans in his chamber, steps aside in redistricting. Final redistricting puts Roosevelt Island in District 28 that is all Manhattan and roughly parallels Congressional District 12, now a battleground between Democrats Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler.
(An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Roosevelt Island would become part of Michael Gianaris’s Queens District. That came from an initial misreading of the new maps.)
But Intra-Party Cannibalism Is Set up in the Congressional Race
In a severe blow to Democrats, the Special Master combined districts that run from the Upper West Side straight across until scooping in Roosevelt Island on the east.
Why is that bad? Because those districts are currently led by longtime congressional reps Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler. Allies are now paired against each other. One will knock off the other and/or retire.
And the battle is already on. Again, thanks to Sylvan Klein:
Jerrold (Jerry) Nadler is a lifelong New Yorker who represents the 10th Congressional District in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Nadler has been a leading progressive voice in Congress for more than two decades and is currently the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee.
As Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Nadler is a key player in debates over issues like healthcare, criminal justice reform, and civil rights. He was also a vocal critic of the Trump administration and was one of the first members of Congress to call for impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
Prior to her election to Congress, Maloney served on the New York City Council from 1982 to 1992, and was the first woman to chair the powerful Council’s Finance Committee. She also served as a Democratic district leader from 1974 to 1982.
In Congress, Maloney has been a leading progressive voice on issues like women’s rights, gun control, and finance reform. She was also a vocal critic of the Trump administration and one of the first members of Congress to call for impeachment proceedings against President Trump.
What also remains uncertain is the status of strong challenges from the left, including the likes of Suraj Patel who barely missed defeating Maloney in 2020.
While the general election will be, as usual, in November, primary elections – often the equivalent of final elections in New York City – will take place June (Assembly, Governor, Lieutenant Governor) and August (Congress, State Senate).
Stay tuned.
also from the roosevelt island daily news
- How Queens News Impacts Roosevelt Island Routines and Community LifeExplore how queens news impacts Roosevelt Island routines and community life, from public safety updates and election changes to housing assistance and local celebrations.
- What’s New Across Western Queens: Safety, Community, and Spring at Our DoorstepExplore what’s new across Western Queens this week, including safety updates, casino developments, real estate, and local dining—news that shapes Roosevelt Island life.
- A Full Week Across the River: How Roosevelt Island and Queens Lives IntersectA full week across the river shows how life on Roosevelt Island connects with Queens—covering public safety, legal updates, G train disruptions, and neighborhood events.
- Roosevelt Island Weekly Recap: Community Life, Local News, and Everyday ConnectionsOur Roosevelt Island weekly recap covers local news, community events, and the threads of daily life connecting neighbors on and off the island.
- Queens News Highlights and Roosevelt Island Community ConnectionsExplore the week’s Queens news highlights and Roosevelt Island community connections, from public safety to housing, historic places, and local events.
A Different Kind of Bet
For years, Roosevelt Island did not behave like a system constrained by limits. Internally, the budget was often treated less as a boundary and more as a reservoir to be used.
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