Republican State Sen. Lee Zeldin announced that he will seek the congressional seat in eastern Suffolk County currently held by Rep. Tim Bishop in next year's election.

Zeldin launched his political career with an unsuccessful challenge against Bishop back in 2008. Two years later, he was elected to the state Senate.

The second-term state senator believes that the current gridlock in Washington over a spending bill will have voters willing to make a change.

"People might blame Republicans or Democrats. I'm someone who blames all of them. quite frankly," says Zeldin. "I think they need to get their act together and try to work through their differences to move our nation forward."

The First Congressional District stretches from Smithtown to Montauk Point.