A Democrat, Lundine served as Mayor of Jamestown, New York from 1970 until 1976, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

While mayor, Jamestown received national attention as a result of his Labor Management strategy.

As a Congressman, Lundine brought his labor/management ideas to Washington, and was instrumental in developing legislation that created labor/management councils and employee stock ownership plans.

He focused on finance, banking and economic development policy, and also served on the Science Committee.

In 1994, Cuomo and Lundine were defeated for reelection by George Pataki and Betsy McCaughey Ross.