Liuba Grechen Shirley, the Democratic candidate running for Congress in the 2nd District, held a rally in Brentwood Saturday to kick off her bid in the general election.

The Democrat won the primary election last month.

"I want to stand up for working families in our district. I want to make sure people have access to quality education and health care, and clean air and clean water," she said during the event.

Grechen Shirley says the big turnout at the event shows that people are ready for a change in Congress. Republican incumbent Rep. Peter King says he fully intends on running for re-election.

"I look forward to the campaign, I look forward to running on my record. I appreciate the fact I have support across the board – Democrats, Republicans, Independents," King told News 12 in a phone interview.

While Grechen Shirley says she wants to stand against President Donald Trump, King says he agrees with the president on a number of issues like eradicating MS-13 and protecting Long Island against terrorist attacks.

"He's doing a very good job,” said King. “When he says things I disagree with, like the tax bill which affected property taxes, state income tax, I oppose him."