Charlene Jackson Thompson has worn many hats — attorney, government official, consultant and community advocate. Now, she’s running as the Republican candidate in Nassau County’s 1st Legislative District, hoping to bring her experience and network to a newly redrawn district.
Thompson, 59, grew up in Roosevelt and graduated from Uniondale High School in 1984 before attending the College of William and Mary, where she became the university’s first Black Homecoming queen. She later earned a law degree from Howard University.
She currently serves as a deputy county attorney, representing Nassau County in child welfare cases. In this role she works with Child Protective Services, family support organizations and the court system to advocate for the safety, stability and long-term well-being of children. Her legal work is guided by a trauma-informed approach that combines compassion with legal insight.
Thompson has worked under both Democratic and Republican county executives, including roles in economic development and housing. She served as commissioner of the Community Development Agency in Hempstead and later joined the Nassau County attorney’s office, where she prosecutes child abuse and neglect cases. She also has a consulting firm focused on economic development, grant writing and regulatory compliance.
She is running for the 1st District seat as a way to make sure her voice stays in the conversation.
“I don’t shy away from hard discussions. I have the courage of my convictions because I am more conservative,” she told Herald reporters during a Roundtable interview. “And that hasn’t been easy when I was a student at Howard University, and it hasn’t been easy in this environment, but I made a difficult decision, even as an African American woman, a woman (who is) a descendant of slaves — I made the difficult decision that I was going to stay a part of the Republican Party, because I feel we do a disservice when we all flock to one party.”
Thompson emphasizes deep roots and connections in each of the communities in District 1, from serving on civic associations in Baldwin to helping coordinate downtown revitalization initiatives in Roosevelt, Westbury and Hempstead. She says her long track record of cross-sector collaboration is what sets her apart.
“I have always looked at government as a way to find information, to bring it to the people,” she said. “That’s because I put community first, and I meet people wherever they are.”
If elected, Thompson said, her priorities include increasing access to workforce housing, especially by repurposing so-called “zombie homes” and expanding partnerships with local land trusts. She also wants to improve water and sewer infrastructure, ensure community involvement in large-scale projects like the Propel NY corridor in Rockville Centre, and boost civic education and transparency.
“I will be a voice and advocate for the needs of my community, and make sure that I have a seat at the table to voice those concerns,” she said.
While Thompson identifies as a conservative, she said she has always sought to find common ground with those of differing political persuasions. “My philosophy, as shown by my over 30 years of community service now, has always been community first,” she said. “That’s how I work. That’s how I live.”
