Peter King of Seaford is the United States Congressman from the Third Congressional District. He is running for re-election on the Republican ticket and is opposed by Democrat Dal LaMagna. Congressman King said that he wants to be a congressman for middle income people. "The rich people have their lobbyists and the poor generally have advocates assisting and helping them, and people who get forgotten are in the middle."

During his four terms in Congress, King believes he has established an independent record. "I put New York and Nassau County first, even if that involves breaking away from my own party on certain issues.

"I feel that I can work with Democrats on issues that affect Long Island. We have unique issues on Long Island, and they're not Democratic or Republican issues. They are issues that involve the people, and we do work together. We are able to put party politics aside."

King pointed to many things he has accomplished during his congressional service. He has helped move forward the plan to build the East Side Tunnel, which would connect the LIRR directly to Grand Central Station. Such a tunnel, he said, will not only cut the commuting time half an hour in each direction for people who work on the east side, but it will also help decrease the amount of pollution since more people will commute by train. The congressman acknowledged that federal funds for the project are yet to be secured.

King also was instrumental in the creation of a $70 million federal project rebuilding beaches along the south shore of Long Island.

Since most Long Islanders have their major equity in their homes, King has worked for the reduction of residential taxes during his congressional term. He also voted to eliminate the "marriage tax penalty." King says that it doesn't make sense that two people who want to be married and start a family get taxed more heavily than two people who just live together.

King serves on the International Relations Committee, and has traveled to Europe and the Middle East on numerous occasions. "I've been personally involved in these issues; I have an expertise in foreign policy. I think it's important to have somebody in Congress who understands those issues."

In addition to the International Relations Committee, King also serves on the Committee on Banking and Financial Services. While on that committee, King says he helped preserve credit unions on Long Island.

If re-elected, King says he wants to find an answer to both the HMO and prescription drug issues. "People should have the right to sue their HMO if they don't get proper treatment," King said. He also believes that prescription drugs should be more affordable. He said this issue should be kept separate from Medicare, saying that those who are not on Medicare should also be able to receive prescription drugs at reasonable prices.

Congressman King said that he wants to see more money put into our national defense. He believes that the United States Armed Forces are presently undermanned and under equipped. "I hope we never have a war, but one way to make sure your enemies don't start a war is if they know that we have the equipment in case of one," King stated.

If re-elected, King would be serving his fifth term in the US House of Representatives. Prior to serving in Congress, King was elected to three consecutive terms as the comptroller of Nassau County. Before serving in county government, he had experience as a practicing attorney and civic leader. King began his political career in 1977 by winning election to the Hempstead Town Council.

King is a graduate of St. Francis College in Brooklyn and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is a lifelong resident of New York and has lived in Nassau County for over 30 years. He lives in Seaford with his wife Rosemary and their two children Sean and Erin.