N.Y. Rep. Gilman (R) Mulls Party Switch to Democrat

Las Vegas Sun ^ | June 05, 2002 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

---

June 05, 2002

N.Y. Rep. Gilman Mulls Party Switch

WASHINGTON- With his job on the chopping block, the senior Republican in New York's congressional delegation is considering a switch to the Democratic Party.

A spokesman for Rep. Benjamin Gilman said Tuesday that State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat, broached the idea with the GOP lawmaker during a private meeting in Albany, N.Y., about congressional redistricting.

"He told the speaker it was a very interesting offer," Brian Walsh said of Gilman's reaction, declining to elaborate.

Silver said he told Gilman on Monday that if the congressman runs as a Democrat, "I would support him."

Gilman, the 79-year-old former chairman of the House International Relations Committee, has represented a district just north of New York City since 1972. He is a moderate Republican.

The state Legislature must eliminate two of New York's 31 congressional seats because of slow population growth as reported by the 2000 Census. The latest redistricting plan under consideration would put Gilman in a district with fellow GOP Rep. Sue Kelly, who is serving her fourth term.

That new district would favor Kelly because it includes most of her current district.

A party switch by Gilman would, at the very least, force the GOP to spend heavily to defend Kelly at a time when Democrats are making a strong bid to take control of the House. Republicans now hold a 222-211 advantage, with two independents.

State legislative leaders have renewed efforts in the last week to devise new congressional district lines to avoid having a plan created by a court-appointed special master take effect.

Walsh said Gilman also is considering legal options to try to save his district.

---

On the Net:

Gilman's office: http://www.house.gov/gilman

--

[vannrox]

R.I.N.O?

[Cicero]

79 years old? Maybe it's time to pack it in and get some time on the beach.

[Deb]

This is totally media driven by the Democrats. Last night Congressman Tom Davis (the head of the Republican Congressional Re-Election Committee) said it wasn't true.

[cksharks]

What is your overall feel for how many sseats we will pickup bacause of redistristing?

[Sonny M]

Almost every republican in NY is a rino. Some are just more partisian then others.

[concerned about politics]

The state Legislature must eliminate two of New York's 31 congressional seats because of slow population growth as reported by the 2000 Census.

That's because the state is pretty much run by Democrats. Working people and business can't afford to stay in NY. They leave for greener pastures. They aren't stupid.
The rest of the potential population is aborted by the liberals.

[Deb]

The last I heard Charlie Cook said 11. I sure hope so.

[cksharks]

Thanks that is what I heard also.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Of course. New York is a political Sarengeti.

[Slyfox]

[Torie]

It is more like 3-4 seats, not 11. Charlie doesn't believe it is 11 either. Not even Davis says that anymore for public consumption.

[Torie]

No one knows what Gilman will do, probably not even Gilman. He has about a 35%-40% chance I would guess of beating Kelly as a Dem if he runs against her.

[quietolong]

It's Ny A RINO what else fron the state that gives us H.C.

[Deb]

We were talking about GOP seats from re-districting. Is that what you're saying?

[Torie]

Yep.

[Deb]

Damn.