Laura Anne Gillen (born July 10, 1969)[1] is an American politician and attorney who is the member-elect of the United States House of Representatives for New York's 4th congressional district.[2] A Democrat, she previously served as the Town Supervisor of Hempstead, New York.[3]
Laura Gillen | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 4th district | |
| Assuming office January 3, 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Anthony D'Esposito |
| Town Supervisor of Hempstead | |
| In office 2018–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Santino |
| Succeeded by | Donald Clavin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 10, 1969 Baldwin, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Georgetown University (BA) New York University (JD) |
Education and early career
editGillen grew up in Baldwin, New York. She received her undergraduate degree in political science and government from Georgetown University, and her Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law. Gillen practiced commercial litigation at Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein, LLP.[4]
Earlier political career
editIn 2017, Gillen narrowly defeated incumbent Anthony J. Santino for Hempstead Town Supervisor, becoming the first Democrat in 100 years elected to the position.[5] In the 2017 general election, Gillen was outspent by $1.2 million dollars and won by a margin of 2,268 votes.[5][6]
During her 2017 campaign for Supervisor, Gillen criticized Santino's treatment of fellow town board members Bruce Blakeman and Erin King-Sweeney.[7] The two town board members took issue with a Santino proposal to restrict board members from taking more than $125,000 in outside income. While Santino denied it, the two attorneys argued that it was an attempt to throw them off the board.[8] Blakeman would later cross party lines to endorse Gillen in October.[9]
In May 2018, Gillen released a five year capital plan which included rehabilitation of a town 311 facility and a water testing lab and $160 million in capital highway spending.[10]
U.S. House of Representatives
editElections
edit2022
editIn 2022, she ran for the New York's 4th congressional district in 2022 United States House of Representatives elections, a seat vacated by incumbent Rep. Kathleen Rice.[11] She won the primary[12] but lost the general election to Anthony D'Esposito in an upset. The district represents nearly all of the Town of Hempstead and the City of Long Beach in Nassau County.
2024
editGillen announced she would run against D'Esposito again in 2024. She narrowly defeated him in the general election, flipping the seat.[2] During her campaign, she said she opposed the implementation of congestion pricing in the most congested, polluted parts of Manhattan.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Laura Gillen". LegiStorm.
- ^ a b Ngo, Emily; Beeferman, Jason (November 7, 2024). "Laura Gillen defeats Rep. Anthony D'Esposito in heated NY rematch focused on border security". Politico. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Smollins, Mike (February 24, 2022). "Laura Gillen announces campaign for Congress in 4th District". Herald Community Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
- ^ Strack, Ben (22 November 2017). "Getting to know Laura Gillen". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ a b Dazio, Stefanie; Asbury, John (November 8, 2017). "Surprise win for Democrats in Hempstead supervisor race". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2021-03-22.
- ^ Wang, Vivian (November 13, 2019). "Rep. Peter King's Exit Highlights the G.O.P.'s Suburban Problem". The New York Times.
- ^ "Laura Gillen Responds To Supervisor Santino's State Of The Town". Long Island Weekly. 2017-09-13. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
- ^ "Newsday endorses Gillen for Hempstead supervisor". Newsday. October 29, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
- ^ Stieglitz, Brian (October 27, 2017). "Blakeman crosses party lines, endorses Gillen for town supervisor". Herald Community Newspapers. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
- ^ Dazio, Stefanie (May 6, 2018). "Town's capital plan includes 311 system". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
- ^ Smollins, Mike (March 3, 2022). "Rockville Centre's Laura Gillen discusses her run for Congress". LI Herald. Archived from the original on 2022-03-03.
- ^ "Winners in Long Island's primaries look forward to November election". News 12 Long Island. August 24, 2022.
- ^ Brosnan, Erica (November 8, 2024). "Newly elected congresswoman vows to work across aisle". ny1.com.