Candidate Profile: Rep. Steve Israel

Name: Steve Israel 

Hometown: Dix Hills

Party: Democrat

Bio: Israel, 54, has served the Second Congressional District since 2001. He's running for his seventh term in the newly reconstituted Third District, which includes familiar territory in Commack, Huntington and Dix Hills and new communities from Whitestone and Douglaston in Queens to Great Neck, Port Washington and Glen Cove.

Israel is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. He's known for his stance on energy security, support of the state of Israel and securing federal funds for area veterans and protecting the Long Island Sound.  

After an uncussessful run at the Suffolk County Legislature in the 1980s, Israel won a seat as a Councilman for the Town of Huntington in 1993.

In 2000, Israel beat out Joan Johnson to replace Rep. Rick Lazio, who gave up his seat to run for Senate. He's won all six Congressional elections by double-digit margins.

Education: Nassau Community College and George Washington University.

Opponent: Stephen Labate

District: Third Congressional District