The battle is heating up between state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in Democratic primary for the new 17th Congressional District.

"People want leaders who are going to deliver for them, who are really in touch with people in the district,” said Biaggi.

Maloney, now is his fifth term, is the leader of the House Democrats campaign arm whose primary role is to protect the party's House majority. His challenge now is to fend off a primary challenge from the left in Biaggi.

“I'm proud of the record I’ve built serving in the Hudson Valley over 10 years,” he said. “I've had to beat a Republican five times in a very tough part of New York. There are Democrats who want to focus on other Democrats. What I’m focused on is beating dangerous MAGA Republicans.”

Maloney made the decision to jump out of the race for the 18th District -- which he currently serves -- after his home in Cold Spring got tossed into the 17th District. His decision outraged the progressives because it sent current Rep. Mondaire Jones packing to run for another seat in lower Manhattan.

Biaggi has taken on establishment candidates before and even ousted one of the most powerful Democrats in the state Senate, Jeff Klein, back in 2018.

"This is a district that has already elected a progressive to represent them,” added Biaggi. “And that is exactly what my record shows. "

Maloney is ahead in the polls, fundraising and party endorsements. He also has former Rep. Nita Lowey arguing that his experience has helped deliver funding on important projects for the district.

“It's a broad and diverse coalition of support that we're building, and you need that to win a competitive seat,” added Maloney.

There is also a five-way Republican primary for the 17th Congressional District.