UTICA - The first-time Congressman Michael Arcuri will defend his seat this fall against political newcomer, Cooperstown businessman Richard Hanna, a Republican.

In front of the East Utica home he grew up in, first-term U.S. Congressman Michael Arcuri announced he'd seek a second term.

There is no shortage of important issues to talk about for any candidate seeking national office. Arcuri stands firm in his position on one of them - he still says drilling at ANWR is not the answer to our fuel problems.

"So let's say we use it up; it's only going to benefit the country for about five years so what's going to happen after that five years?," Arcuri said. "We risk polluting and destroying the environment up north and we've only lowered gas prices for a very short time and by a very small amount."

A casualties grow and hope for a speedy resolution dwindles, Acuri weighed in on Iraq. Something else he'd like to see shrink - the number of U.S. troops there.

"I mean, we can't bring all the troops home next week," he said. "That would not be wise. But I think within six months to a year we should have a bulk...I mean a major bulk of the troops home"

Arcuri's opponent this Fall - Republican Richard Hanna - calls it an ill-planned war, but says that doesn't mean we can set a time frame to clear out

"I would not vote to leave at a date certain," Hanna said. "I think you disarm yourself when you do that and I think it's naive to do."

Last election, anti-republican sentiment helped carry many democrats to Washington, placing both the House of Representatives and the Senate in democrat control. But Arcuri says he won't let his guard down. His opponent just hopes this race for the 24th District is more dignified than the last one.

"I'm anticipating a big fight," Arcuri said. "You always do. You never think that it's going to be an easy walk because it never is; nor should it be, I might add. There are some very important issues that we face both here locally and nationally issues that merit some serious debate and I think we'll have it...parts of it were undignified and unnecessary and frankly, didn't add to the conversation at all."