“I’m focused on the priorities that matter to Long Islanders: taking on our cost-of-living crisis, fixing our broken immigration system, and keeping our communities and law enforcement safe. These are bipartisan priorities for Americans. We need bipartisan solutions.”
Laura Gillen

BACKGROUND + EXPERIENCE

Rep. Laura Gillen was first elected to Congress in 2024. She is a lawyer and mother of four who grew up in the district she currently represents. In 2017, Gillen became the first Democrat elected as Hempstead Town Supervisor in 112 years. As Supervisor, Laura managed a budget of nearly $500 million and led the operations of all town departments. She took aim at waste and corruption and made the town government more accessible, transparent, and accountable to taxpayers. Her cost-saving measures enabled the town to lower taxes for residents after years of tax hikes.

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In addition to her public service, Gillen has served the community throughout her career, from volunteering to care for people afflicted with AIDS at the height of that crisis, to working with Mother Teresa. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gillen volunteered with All Hands and Hearts, distributing PPE to local police stations, businesses and health centers. 

Rep. Gillen attended Law School at Georgetown Law Center and NYU School of Law. In Congress, she serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Science, Space and
Technology Committee.

ON THE ISSUES

• Affordability: seeks to repeal SALT tax cap and take aim at the price gouging hurting Americans.

• ​​Climate change: as Hempstead Supervisor, she took on big polluters and commenced litigation to help defer the huge cost of the filtration systems needed to remove contaminants. As a member of Congress, she will continue these efforts to preserve and protect Long Island’s shorelines and our earth.

• ​​Reproductive freedom: endorsed by Emily’s List, she has been public about having had a medically necessary abortion after a rare and heartbreaking fetal death. Gillen recounts the trauma of the medical nightmare and the ensuing harassment by anti-choice activists as motivating factors in her fight to defend the right to abortions in the face of Republicans’ war on women’s reproductive freedom.

• ​​Gun control: believes in background checks and wants to see gun violence treated as a public health crisis.

• ​​Veterans: proposed and passed legislation to give veteran-owned businesses a competitive edge in bidding for government contracts. She continues to fight for veterans as a member of Congress. 

POLITICS IN NEW YORK

NY 04 is in central and southern Nassau County, Long Island.  The district was previously represented by Republican Anthony D'Esposito, who defeated Gillen narrowly in 2022 by 3.6%

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Rep. Gillen defeated D’Esposito in 2024 by 2.4% in a district carried by Kamala Harris by just .8%. In 2020, Joe Biden defeated Trump by 5%. This rightward shift illustrates Republican strength in a very competitive swing district.

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At this point, there is no declared Republican opponent. The New York primary will be held in June 2025.

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The Cook Political Report rates this race as Toss up while Sabato's Crystal Ball rates this race as Lean Democrat.

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