Local Assemblyman Officially Announces Candidacy For Congress

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A local assemblyman officially declared his candidacy for Congress last week. Mike LiPetri is looking to run for the seat currently occupied by longtime U.S. Rep. Pete King, who announced in November he will not be seeking re-election this year.

The 75-year-old, who has served as congressman for 14 terms, said he made the decision in order not to run again in order to spend more time with his family in Seaford. After the news of his retirement spread, many local politicians are already vying for the open seat.

LiPetri, who was elected to represent New York's ninth assembly district in 2018, expressed his interest following the news of King's retirement. At the start of the new year, he officially announced his candidacy.

"My candidacy for Congress is a direct reflection of my belief that the residents of Long Island deserve a representative who will prioritize people not politics, a representative who will fight to restore common sense, and a representative who will always do what is right not what is easy," he said in a statement.

LiPetri's current district includes South Farmingdale, Massapequa, portions of Fire Island and the Great South Bay area, Massapequa Park, West Babylon, Babylon, West Islip, and Brightwaters.

The second congressional district includes most of the same towns LiPetri currently represents. The district covers Levittown, North Wantagh, Seaford, South Farmingdale and Massapequa. Suffolk County communities include Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, Gilgo, West Babylon, Wyandanch, North Babylon, Babylon, Baywood, Brentwood, Brightwaters, Central Islip, Islip, Great River, Ocean Beach, Oakdale, West Sayville, Bohemia, West Islip and Ronkonkoma.