Tuesday, October 27, 2026
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen has advocated for New York’s 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives since 2024. She is seeking re-election because she, says, she believes Congress continues to be hyperpartisan, despite opportunities to effectively address problems affecting Americans. Prior to serving in the House, Gillen, a Democrat, served as Town of Hempstead supervisor from 2018 until 2020, the first Democrat in more than 100 years elected to the position.
Gillen, 57, has focused on bipartisan cooperation to deliver results for her constituents, occasionally crossing party lines on key bills. She defended her recent vote for a Department of Homeland Security funding package, saying the bill was an umbrella agreement that also supported the Federal Emergency Management Agency, increased airport security, improved cybersecurity and supported the Coast Guard, despite its inclusion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“People mischaracterize that vote as if I just voted to fund ICE because I approved of ICE,” Gillen explained. “No, I voted to make sure that I was doing what I thought was the best for my constituents.”
Making Long Island more affordable for residents is another priority. Gillen has called for reinstating Affordable Care Act tax credits, reducing prescription drug prices and utility costs and eliminating tariffs that she said cost local households an average of $1,700 annually. She noted Nassau County’s average home price of roughly $900,000, saying that even her daughter, a future teacher, is unsure whether she’ll be able to afford a home on Long Island.
“It wasn't like that when I grew up,” Gillen said. “When I grew up, you thought, ‘Work hard, go to school, get a job and you could live here.’ You could stay where you grew up.”
Gillen also highlighted efforts to restore the full state and local income tax deduction — in 2025, she put forward a bill amendment to restore SALT, which the House Republican majority voted against. “This is the stuff that is bad about this Congress,” Gillen said. “It's more about getting one over on the other side than solving the problems that we can solve for the American people.”
Her other priorities include youth suicide prevention and mental health support, particularly for young adults and law enforcement officers. She has co-sponsored bipartisan bills to increase funding and enact support programs. Gillen also touted delivering $42 million in improvements to the NICE bus system, a bill that would create a federal tax deduction for commuting costs, and road safety grants. She also found funding for water filtration upgrades in multiple communities, flood prevention, emergency vehicles and accessibility improvements.
The past two elections in the 4th District were decided by narrow margins: In 2022, Republican Anthony D’Esposito defeated Gillen by fewer than 10,000 votes. In 2024, Gillen beat D’Esposito by fewer than 9,000 votes. Gillen hopes to attract independent voters this time around by emphasizing practical solutions rather than partisan disputes. “I am a common-sense, moderate voice in Congress who wants to do what I think people want to see,” she said. “The American people want to see people go to Washington, D.C., and solve problems and make their lives better.”
