Rep. Peter T. King, a 14-term Republican congressman from New York, announces retirement

[Danmel]

69. It wasn't a one for one swap.

I live in what was CD 2 which became CD 3, but was never in Pete King's district. When I moved out here, it was still Rick Lazio's seat. He famously ran against Hillary Clinton for Senate and got in trouble for stalking her at a debate, something which seemed to help the current occupant of the white house.
The district is currently represented by Tom Suozzi, who is a member of the "problem solvers," although he did support impeachment.
Steve Israel was very liberal on social issues but moderate on defense. He started as a "center aisle " guy, but came to his senses and became much more openly critical of Bush as his term went on. Suozzi is being primaried from the left, but it is a pretty moderate district. I dont think it is a good idea even though I wish Suozzi was less centrist than he is.

King's district is more conservative than Suozzi's. An AOC type Democrat would be crushed in my opinion, but the ideological purists might undermine the chance of picking up that seat.
Same is true for Zeldin's seat. A very blue collar, Republican district with Hamptons money .
Last time around, we nominated a Goldman Sachs guy when we should have nominated the northern Ireland immigrant who became a school bus driver, union leader and 6 term county legislator who won by 20 points each time, despite being g a woman and a Democrat.
Long Island is not NYC. We need to be smart and strategic to win. We cant be perfectly pure.