Lawmaker known for anti-terrorism work mulls 2016 bid

Catalina Camia | USA TODAY

A New York Republican congressman best known for his work on homeland security issues says he's thinking about running for president in 2016.

Rep. Pete King, former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told ABC News on Thursday that he's "going to see where it goes." His interest in the White House was first reported by Newsmax.

"My concern right now is I don't see anyone at the national level speaking enough on, to me, what's important — national security, homeland security, counterterrorism," King told ABC News.

A presidential campaign would seem like a long shot for King, who was first elected to Congress in 1992 and represents a district based on Long Island.

He has attracted headlines over the years for his work on terrorism issues and held hearings in 2011 on the radicalization of Muslims in America. After then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head in 2011, King worked with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to toughen gun laws.

King is probably not as well known nationally as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Florida governor Jeb Bush, 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan and Sen. Marco Rubio. They have all done the kind of politicking and GOP party building across the country that would help them raise the huge sums needed for a White House bid.

Another thing driving King, apparently, is that he doesn't want the Republican Party to be defined by Sens. Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, both Tea Party favorites.

"I'm not crazy about Rand Paul and Ted Cruz," King is quoted as saying by ABC News. "But on the other hand, you know, guys like Chris Christie and Jeb Bush, I have a lot of regard for."

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