The race for the 5th Senate District seat is pitting a seasoned politician against a familiar opponent.

The district covers parts of the North Shore of Long Island in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Democratic challenger Jim Gaughan says he's been campaigning hard against 23-year veteran state Sen. Carl Marcellino in the district that covers parts of the North Shore in Nassau and Suffolk.

Gaughan says he wants to bring change to the district, plus help Democrats take control away from Republicans in the state Senate so he can facilitate more funding to Long Island schools.

“I believe if we have a strong Democratic representation from Long Island…we will be able to get more money back,” he told News 12.

Sen. Marcellino says Republican control of the state Senate means more state funding to Long Island. He points to his more than two-decade record of sponsoring bills that protect the environment and schools as proof he's got Long Island's best interest in mind - unlike his opponent, he says.

“All he can do right now is make promises, but he has no record of achievement to point to,” says Sen. Marcellino. “He makes promises. I don't have to make promises. I can point to what I have done.”

This isn't the first time state Sen. Marcellino has run against Jim Gaughran for the 5th District. In 2016, he won a narrow victory by just 1,761 votes.