Thursday, April 17, 2025
Democrat Olena Nicks defeated Republican Karin Campbell — 1,974 to 294 — in Tuesday’s special election to succeed Siela Bynoe as the Nassau County legislator from the 2nd L.D., that includes Carle Place, New Cassel, Westbury, and portions of Hempstead, Uniondale, Hicksville, and Jericho.
Bynoe is now a state senator.
"I'm excited to get to work, Nicks said shortly after she learned of her victory. "I believe this is a win, not just for the residents of District 2 but all of Nassau County. I expect to hit the ground runnung."
Nicks, a Uniondale resident and Uniondale Public Library trustee, pointed to her public service as a jumping off point for serving as a legislator.
“I've been a public servant for quite some time, and I've seen the different changes that we have gone through, not just Uniondale, but also Westbury,” she said in a previous Herald interview. “You know, we're both very similar as we're transient communities, very diverse in large communities, and I believe with my experience as a public servant, I can use that to help families navigate county services and better understand the struggles that the residents are facing.”
Nicks previously ran for town supervisor in 2023, losing to Don Clavin, and town clerk in 2021, when Kate Murray prevailed.
Campbell, a Westbury resident, had a platform focused on tax relief, public safety, and economic opportunities for Nassau County residents. With a background in education and community service, she pledged to support the Nassau County Police Department to combat crime, maintain Nassau’s suburban quality of life, and work with the Republican-led legislature to ease the tax burden on families and seniors.
"Sadly, my campaign was not able to surmunt the significant Democraric voter enrollment advantage, and we came up short tonight," Campell said.
Campbell and Nicks are expected to clash again in the general election later this year.
"While we were not victorious in the special election, voters will once again have an opportunity to make their voices heard in November," Campbell said. "The campaign for the general election begins tomorrow and I will continue growing ny coalition of Republican, Democrat and independent neighbors who want to see Nassau County thrive."
