Two from L.I. to skip national Dems' convention

Democratic and Republican party leaders are urging members in tight races to skip the national party conventions this year to stay home and campaign. But only two House members from Long Island said they are taking a pass on the Democratic conclave in Charlotte: Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), locked in a tight race with Republican businessman Randy Altschuler, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), facing Republican Francis Becker and Conservative candidate Frank Scatturro.

Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Roslyn Heights) plans on going -- it could be his last convention as he retires from a 15-term career in the House. Rep. Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills) has an added incentive to go - he'll be a speaker as the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. And Rep. Pete King (R-Seaford), despite having a newly configured South Shore district, plans to headed for Tampa, Fla., for the Republican National Convention.

Despite facing a second election in two years, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also plans to go to Charlotte as does senior Sen. Charles Schumer. Gillibrand’s GOP challenger Wendy Long said she's not going to Tampa.