The state independent redistricting commission has released a draft of their proposed congressional districts that will likely help two Hudson Valley incumbents.

Former County Executives Pat Ryan (Ulster) and Marc Molinaro (Duchess) were briefly candidates for the same congressional seat two years ago, when they sought to replace Antonio Delgado who gave up his seat to become Lieutenant Governor of New York State.

Ryan, the Democrat, won that battle against Republican Molinaro, but both were winners a few months later, competing in newly-drawn congressional districts.

But those lines will apparently be re-drawn again, and the new map unveiled last week appears to strengthen both incumbents.

In December of 2023, in a four-to-three decision, the state’s highest court ruled that the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) would return to the drawing board for New York’s 26 Congressional districts ahead of the 2024 election. The court decided that maps drawn by a special master in 2022 would be used only for one election cycle and the maps released today are the results of that commission’s court-ordered work.

Ryan’s 18th District currently serves all of Orange County and portions of Ulster. With the redistricting, he would swap portions of Orange for portions of Ulster now served by Molinaro. Both incumbents should gain votes in the deal. Molinaro will pick up Crawford and Mount Hope in Orange County and Shawangunk in Ulster, all Republican strongholds. Ryan would keep Gardiner and Plattekill in Ulster and add Woodstock and Saugerties, which traditionally vote Democrat.

While the plan does have bipartisan support, it is not unanimous. Among the critics is State Senator James Skoufis, whose own district would not be split between the two members of congress.

“These maps are a disgrace and ought to be rejected by the Legislature,” Skoufis said in a statement released last week.

There can be no mistaking the intent of redistricting. It is meant to strengthen those in power, regardless of how it may affect their constituents. It may be a bonus when it helps incumbents of both parties.