Local Politician Hoping To Run For King's Congressional Seat

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A local assemblyman recently announced he is looking to possibly run for Congress next year after longtime U.S. Rep. Pete King (R) stated last week he will not be seeking re-election in 2020.

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.

Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, who represents New York's ninth assembly district, is among those politicians after announcing this week he has formed an exploratory committee to meet with residents, neighbors and those in the political realm who are the decision makers to get a gauge of resident's support.

"What I've been hearing more and more, I've been receiving a number of calls, text messages, emails, social media messaging, where people are really energized by this and by my potential candidacy."

LiPetri (R) was elected as assemblyman in 2018 after beating out incumbent Christine Pellegrino. In the past year he has been representing the district which 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, which is the seat King will be giving up, includes most of the same towns LiPetri currently represents. The district includes 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.

LiPetri says the most important thing to him is receiving support from the local residents.

"It's been really humbling to say the least, because I've seen an overwhelming amount of positive responses from people both personal and just in the neighborhoods, people I've represented as an assemblyman who are really happy with the job I've been doing over this time."

In addition to LiPetri, town of Babylon councilwoman Jackie Gordon (D) announced she plans to run as well.

"Despite our disagreements, I thank Peter King for his 26 years of service representing our district in Congress. I respect his decision to retire. This District is in desperate need of new leadership and a representative who will do more for their constituents," she wrote in a Facebook post last week. "Just as I served my country, I am ready to serve the people of Long Island in Washington."

Meanwhile Liuba Grechen Shirley who ran against King last year, losing by just six points, said in a Twitter post she will not be running in 2020 due to the fact that she pregnant with her third child who is due in April.

"My last 2 deliveries were incredibly difficult and required long recovery periods, and I can’t run unless I know I can put 100 percent in," her Twitter post read.