Lifetime Glen Cove resident and Democrat Graham Long, 25, has officially announced that he will challenge 16-year incumbent Congressman Peter King to represent New York's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Long is an economic development advisor making his first run for public office, although he has had a lifelong passion for politics and an increasing desire for change as he has watched the political scene unfold.

At a press conference held on Monday, June 30, Mr. Long asked, "What exactly has been our experience with the current politicians in Washington? This 'good-old-boy,' special interest-driven, cash-inundated system is getting us nowhere fast. I'm running for Congress so that we can change that system and get it working for us.

"Now is the time to start planning for where we want this country to be one year, five years, 10 years from now. We know what our challenges are and we know what to do about them. The war in Iraq needs to end in a responsible way, one that considers what the future of the Middle East will be and puts our armed forces to work eliminating terrorist threats. Our economy needs to start running on renewable energy sources that makes us entirely independent of oil and foreign regimes. We need a strong infrastructure that lets us lead the world in a new, green economy that's powered by our own innovation. These changes are the future of American progress, and I've dedicated my life to making sure that progress continues."

Mr. Long states that he brings with him extensive experience in government, regional planning and economic development, historic preservation, and work on national issues and those unique to Long Island.

In 2002, he served as an intern at the White House with the president's National Economic Council. He holds a B.A. from George Washington University in American Studies, concentrating in economic development and regional planning. He is currently a regional planning specialist, and has worked with Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi on his initiatives to reduce Nassau County's tax burden, create senior and next-generation affordable housing in the county's downtowns, and preserve the environment, history and character of Long Island.

Mr. Long said, "Long Island is no bedroom community. We have always been on the frontier of America's future. We are the island of Theodore Roosevelt, the nation's first suburb, the place that [helped build] our unparalleled national defense. What are we going to do next if we can't even keep our younger generation here at home?"

Mr. Long stated he is serious about taking on the issues here at home and nationwide. He said, "For the last eight years I've been listening to politicians talk about how they feel about the challenges facing our country, and never even acknowledging the institutionalized problems that have caused them. I can no longer accept the lack of vision of our representatives, because they have no interest in looking at the big picture: our future. We can no longer accept the status quo."

Among the supporters present at Mr. Long's announcement were state Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine (D-Glen Cove); Presiding Officer of the Nassau County Legislature Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove); David Gugerty (D-Bayville), Democratic leader of the 18th LD; former Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newberger and former TOB Councilwoman Mary McCaffrey.

Ms. Newberger said she has never before seen a man as young and gifted as Mr. Long so prepared and ready to change the political climate and has offered him "as much help as I can."

Presiding Officer Yatauro remarked that she was very excited to have Mr. Long in the race. "This is the year of change," she said, "all the way from Glen Cove to Washington, including Graham Long in Congress."

Assemblyman Lavine stated that "While Peter King is a nice guy, he has been wrong on every issue concerning both Nassau County and our country. President Bush has no greater advocate than Pete King." He added that Mr. Long is closely in tune with the people of his district, and it's been "a long time since we've had that in Congress."

Mr. Long's speech was peppered with applause and cheers, as were the comments made by his political supporters.