The Congressional race between Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice and challenger Bruce Blakeman heated up Saturday during a press conference in Manhattan.

Blakeman said his Democratic challenger in the 4th District was set to speak alongside Imam Siraj Wahhaj at an Islamic Center of Long Island event next month. Wahhaj appeared on a list of unindicted co-conspirators in the trial of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

Blakeman said Rice didn't cancel on the event until it was made public. As of Saturday night, Rice's name still appeared on the center's website announcing the November fundraiser.

Rep. Peter King, who endorsed Blakeman, spoke during Saturday's press conference. He called Rice's initial decision to speak at the event "inexcusable."

A spokesman for Rice's campaign told News 12 that King himself often accepted invitations to speak at the center. He went on to say that Blakeman is simply trying to "score political points on Sept. 11" and that his actions are "shameful."