Finding Ulysses

Currently, the village of Trumansburg is part of the 24th congressional district, represented by Tea Party Republican Richard Hanna. Hanna replaced conservative Blue Dog Democrat Michael Arcuri in 2010 after Democratic voters held back their support from Arcuri’s re-election effort.

However, the Census has been taken, and that means that, for this year’s election, congressional district lines have to be redrawn. The state legislature has given up on trying to craft new congressional districts, and so, federal judges are set to publish a new congressional district map by this coming Tuesday, when the petitioning period for congressional races begins.

To the south of us in Ithaca, Maurice Hinchey is retiring, and his district may be completely dissolved. The district to the north of us is currently represented by right wing Republican Ann Marie Buerkle – an area currently listed as the 25th district, but may be re-numbered next year as the 24th district. It’s possible, however, that Richard Hanna may take the new 24th district, while Buerkle shifts over to the new 25th district over in Monroe County.

A proposed map shifts all of Tompkins County out of the 24th congressional district, which includes Syracuse, and into the Southern Tier 23rd congressional district, a seat currently represented by a right wing Blue Dog Democrat rather like Michael Arcuri – Bill Owens.

Until next week, nothing is for certain. What district would you prefer to see Trumansburg in?