The fight for the 38th District state Senate seat is heating up weeks before the Democratic primary.

Incumbent Sen. David Carlucci is vying for his fifth term serving all of Rockland County and part of Westchester.

"Everyday, I hear stories about people that are struggling and things they shouldn't have to go through," says Carlucci. "But they come to me because I have that responsibility to take their issues, take them with me to Albany to get results and that's what I've been committed to doing.”

Librarian and former teacher Julie Goldberg is challenging him for the party nod.

"We are relying on the grassroots volunteer energy we have on this campaign," says Goldberg. "A lot of fed up Democrats that have been lobbying Sen. Carlucci for years about issues that they care about, feeling that he turned a deaf ear."

The primary is Thursday, Sept. 13.