Ackerman Plans to Run for Sixth Congressional District Seat

A new district proposed for the middle of Queens would take parts of districts currently represented by U.S. Reps. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hills, and Gary Ackerman, D-Bayside.

The new sixth district would be the only one totally encompassed by Queens. It includes Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Briarwood, Fresh Meadows, Rego Park and Elmhurst.

Forest Hills would join Flushing as the only neighborhoods contained entirely within the district.

Ackerman said he planned to run for the Sixth Congressional District seat.

"The new Sixth CD is a fantastic district in Queens where I grew up, went to public school and college and started my family and my business,” he said. “It contains my political base and longtime roots and I have had the privilege of representing approximately 90 percent of it during my 34 years in the State Senate and U.S. Congress."

Ackerman's current district was combined with another seat in Nassau County.

Other Queens political leaders have yet to react to the proposed maps, which would become final of the state Legislature fails to agree on another proposal.

Queens GOP Chairman Phil Ragusa said he was still absorbing the changes.

Assemblyman Rory Lancman, D-Fresh Meadows, said that he has every intention of running in the newly-created district.

“While I can’t predict what the final lines will ultimately look like, the Special Master’s district six is centered around my home and communities that I have represented in the Assembly, on the community board and as a civic leader for over twenty years,” Lancman said. “I look forward to the opportunity to run for Congress when the lines are finalized.”

U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, whose Ninth District was carved into oblivion, has yet to respond to a request for comment.