For my next foray into redistricting, I decided to map upstate New York, an area that will lose one seat. The seat I removed was accidental Congresswoman Buerkle's seat. All seats have been renumbered to account for the loss of two seats.
Drawing this map was hard since I ended up having to split Syracuse. If I gave all of Syracuse to Bill Owens, I don't know how I could get his district to stretch to Plattsburgh (where he lives) and it would probably lead to a primary challenge from a Syracuse Democrat. Therefore, Owens ended up with only the northern slice of the city. The rest of Syracuse went to Republican Richard Hanna, making him the only upstate Republican whose seat becomes more Dem. I gave the remnants of Buerkle's district to Reed.
This map I drew helps out Hochul, Owens, Reed, Hayworth, Higgins, and Gibson. Hanna has a seat that Dems can flip no problem in a neutral or better year. I also undid the stupid Slaughter earmuff and put her district entirely in her home of Monroe County.
I may have been a little sloppy with upstate New York, but I hope you like my work. More below the fold.
Full Map
Western Upstate New York
Southern Upstate New York
I shall give details for each district in reverse order, starting with NY-27.
NY-27 (spring green): Tom Reed (R)
Obama/McCain: 45%/53.5%
Deviation: -2
This district takes in the more Republican parts of the old NY-26, NY-28, and NY-25. It is out of reach now for Democrats most likely.
NY-26 (grey): Louise Slaughter (D)
Obama/McCain: 58.9%/39.8%
Deviation: +9
The earmuff is no more and this district pretty much resembles what she had before 2001.
NY-25 (pale violet red): Brian Higgins (D)
Obama/McCain: 57.3%/41.1%
Deviation: +6
Higgins now has all of his home of Buffalo in his district. It also loses some of Erie County to Hochul's district and takes in the western reaches of NY-27. It is now undeniably safe for Higgins.
NY-24 (indigo): Kathleen Hochul (D)
Obama/McCain: 51.8%/46.6%
Deviation: -10
This district, originally gerrymandered to ensure ex-Rep. Tom Reynolds would be safe enough to not have to campaign at home, now tilts Dem. It retracts from the conservative counties and pushes further into Erie and Niagara Counties. It still contains Lockport and Batavia. Hochul is from Erie County so I don't think she'll object to having this district be moved northwest like what I did.
NY-23 (aquamarine): Richard Hanna (R)
Obama/McCain: 52.8%/45.4%
Deviation: -10
This district compacts and takes in the majority of Onondago County. As a result, it is now either an EVEN or D+1 district. This should be a top target in 2012.
NY-22 (sienna): Bill Owens (D)
Obama/McCain: 54.4%/43.8%
Deviation: -7
This district loses conservative Hamilton County and some other conservative parts to take in the northern portion of Syracuse, but still stretches to Owens' hometown of Plattsburgh. As a result, Owens no longer needs Hoffman to help him win again (/s). Seriously though, the region that has not elected a Democrat since 1852 will now have no qualms against doing so again. Conservatively, I'd say it is now D+1.
NY-21 (maroon): Maurice Hinchey (D)
Obama/McCain: 59.7%/38.7%
Deviation: +6
This district extends up to Auburn and loses some of its more conservative precincts. It's now even more Dem.
NY-20 (pink): Paul Tonko (D)
Obama/McCain: 57.5%/40.5%
Deviation: +37
Little change here, except it becomes slightly less Democratic.
NY-19 (yellow-green): Chris Gibson (R)
Obama/McCain: 50.3%/47.9%
Deviation: -44
It becomes slightly less Democratic, moves westwards some, and forms a ring around NY-20. Still competitive.
NY-18 (yellow): Nan Hayworth (R)
Obama/McCain: 49.3%/49.6%
Deviation: -32
This district shifts northwards some and is now one that McCain won by a plurality. Could be winnable in 2012, but that depends on who Dems recruit.
NY-17 (dark slate blue): Nita Lowey (D)
Obama/McCain: 60.7%/38.4%
Deviation: -36
Retreats from New Rochelle in order to stretch farther north. Lowey is in no danger here.
NY-16 (lime): Eliot Engel (D)
Obama/McCain: 70.8%/28.6%
Deviation: +1
Sees little change. Still stretches from Rockland County to the Bronx and still contains Mount Vernon (where my paternal grandmother is from). No worries here.
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That is all for now. I hope I did not violate any NY political taboos.