Dems Face Off In Primary To Challenge Peter King For Congress

Two Democrats will be facing off in a primary on June 26 to decide who will run against Peter King in November to represent New York's 2nd Congressional District.

DuWayne Gregory and Liuba Grechen Shirley are facing off in order to challenge King, the longtime Republican representative. Gregory is an Army veteran who is currently serving in the Suffolk County Legislature, where he represents many South Shore communities in the 2nd CD. He was also the first person of color to be elected the Presiding Officer of the Suffolk Legislature.

A longtime Democratic activist, Grechen Shirley has spent her career working with nonprofit groups around the world, and devoted much of her time fighting for women's economic empowerment.

Both candidates have strong Long Island roots, having been born and raised on the Island.

As Democrats, Gregory and Grechen Shirley agree on many issues. Both support campaign finance reform and the rolling back of Citizen's United ruling that allows unlimited money to flow into elections. Both also support measures that would ensure women get equal pay and protect them from sexual violence.

There are, of course, differences between the candidates. Grechen Shirley supports expanding Medicaid to cover all Americans and create universal health care. And while both are also dedicating to combating climate change, Gregory says that he is also and advocate of environmental justice and making sure the low-income communities don't bear the brunt of climate change problems.

Gregory has also ran against King before. The two squared off in 2016, where King handily defeated him, 62.1 percent to 37.9. Gregory touts his record in the Suffolk Legislature, but Grechen Shirley says he's unlikely to be able to beat King this time.

To learn more about the candidates, visit DuWayne Gregory's website or Liuba Grechen Shirley's website. To find your polling place for the June 26 primary, click here.