What was shaping up as a battle of incumbents changed dramatically Tuesday afternoon when State Senator Mike Martucci announced that he would not seek re-election.
The 42nd senate district is currently represented by Martucci (R-New Hampton). A re-drawing of the district map places it wholly within Orange County and includes all of Orange, with the exception of the City and Town of Newburgh and the Town of Montgomery. The map was published by Dr. Jonathan Cervas, a court-appointed Special Master charged with re-drawing New York’s state Senate and congressional districts after the Court of Appeals ruled maps drawn by the state Legislature were unconstitutional.
The new boundaries mean that Martucci and incumbent James Skoufis (D-Cornwall) now live in the same district. On Tuesday, Martucci announced that he would not seek another term.
“When the redistricting process began and I declared I was running for re-election, the Senate District I petitioned in was completely different from the one that exists today,” said Martucci, in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “Due to the prolonged process that included maps from two sets of Independent Redistricting Commissioners, then Democrats in the Legislature, then outside groups, and finally State courts, we had no true idea what our district would end up looking like or who our opponent would be until this past Saturday morning. Anyone that has a family with young children knows that it’s important to have some degree of certainty. Therefore, I am not seeking re-election to the State Senate.”
“With the release of finalized State Senate maps that aggressively carved up our existing district, my family, team, and I found ourselves with an incredibly difficult decision to make over the past two weeks,” Skoufis said last week. “We considered every available option to determine how best to continue serving the people of the Hudson Valley, and I am grateful to the many colleagues and partners who reached out to offer their perspectives and encouraging words.”
Skoufis said he considered entering the U.S. Congressional race for the 18th district that includes the Wallkill Valley. That would have meant a primary with current Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner). Instead, he will compete for another senator seat, while Ryan will face Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R-C- New Windsor) in the race for the 18th Congressional District.
“The newly-drawn 42nd District, which includes almost all of Orange County except Newburgh and Montgomery, represents the most suitable place to continue my service from personal and professional points of view. While it is with a heavy heart that I will no longer represent Newburgh, Montgomery, North Rockland or southern Ulster County, I am ready and raring to continue fighting for Orange County,” Skoufis said.
The Town of Montgomery, with the city and town of Newburgh, remain in the 39th district along with portions of Dutchess and Putnam Counties. Orange County Legislator Kevindaryan Lujan (D-Newburgh) recently announced his candidacy for that seat. He will face Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, a Republican, in the November election.
The Ulster County Towns of Shawangunk, Gardiner and Plattekill are now part of the newly-redrawn 41st Senate District which will see a race between incumbents Michalle Hinchey (D-Saugerties) and Sue Serino (R-Hyde Park).