Former State Sen. James Gaughran has filed papers to run for Congress representing the First District, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
The Democrat will challenge incumbent Nick LaLota in 2024 for the district, which includes Huntington under redistricting that took effect this year. The First District now runs from Huntington in the west to parts of the eastern region of Suffolk County.
The Northport resident represented the area as a member of the State Senate from the 5th District until the new electoral map pushed him out of the district. He previously served as of member of the Huntington Town Board, from 1984-1987, the Suffolk County Legislature from 1988-1993 and as chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority from 2010-2018.
“Instead of focusing on the issues that matter to Long Islanders, Congressman LaLota has spent his time in Washington fighting to take away people’s rights and shielding conman George Santos from accountability,” said Jim Gaughran. “We don’t need a ongressman who is trying to cut reproductive healthcare access while nothing has been accomplished to reinstate our local tax deductions or protect our environment. In Congress, I will focus on helping Long Islanders instead of dividing us.”
LaLota, who lives out of the district in Amityville, is serving his first term in Congress.