Saturday, October 3, 2026
Jeanine C. Driscoll, the Town of Hempstead’s receiver of taxes, says her experience managing one of Nassau County’s most visible local offices has prepared her for a run for Congress, and she is seeking the Republican nomination in New York’s 4th District.
Driscoll, 59, a Republican and a longtime resident of Bellerose, will face Marvin Williams in next Tuesday’s primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen in November.
Driscoll said she decided to enter the race after former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito lost to Gillen in 2024.
“I was called and I found out that they were interviewing candidates,” Driscoll said. “I’ve been in office for seven years. I’ve lived in Nassau County for about 25 years. I’ve been a volunteer, I was a village judge, and I’m a lawyer. I have the life experience to do this.”
She said the timing also aligned with her family life, noting that she and her husband are now at a stage where their youngest child is heading off to college.
A central focus of Driscoll’s campaign is tax policy, an issue she said has defined her public-service career. “I have always been focused on trying to alleviate the burden of taxpayers,” she said. “That’s been my number one priority since I’ve been in office.”
As receiver of taxes, Driscoll said, she has worked to expand access to property tax exemptions and educate homeowners about available relief programs. Her office has also implemented services such as drive-through payment windows, satellite offices, online payment options and email reminder systems.
She said she also regularly hosts seminars on tax grievances and exemptions. “I don’t leave until every question is answered,” she said. “I’ve been in libraries at 10 o’clock at night helping people understand their taxes.”
Driscoll said that direct contact with residents has shaped her understanding of public service more than any other experience. “No one deals with constituents every day like I do,” she said of area tax officials. “People are in my office every single day, and I hear firsthand what they’re going through.”
In Congress, she added, lawmakers often lack day-to-day exposure to constituent concerns.
Driscoll also noted her background as an attorney for more than three decades and her prior service as an associate village justice. She has also been active in community organizations, including the Floral Park Memorial PTSA and the Junior Women’s Club of Bellerose.
Her policy priorities, she said, would center on reducing costs for families through tax relief measures, changes to federal deductions and reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses. Rising insurance costs, housing prices and taxes are all contributing to what Driscoll described as an affordability crisis on Long Island.
“You have people who grew up here, raised their families here and now they can’t afford to stay,” she said. “She supports efforts to increase take-home pay by eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and expanding the deduction for state and local taxes.
Asked why voters should choose her over Williams in the primary, Driscoll said that experience and familiarity with local taxpayers set her apart. “I know the residents, I know the taxpayers and I know how Nassau County works,” she said. “I’ve worked directly with people who are struggling, and I understand what they need.” She also emphasized her endorsement by the Nassau County Republican Committee.
As for what differentiates her from Gillen, Driscoll said the contrast comes down to tax policy and fiscal priorities, and that she looked forward to making her case directly to 4th District voters. “I’m all in,” she said. “I want to win this seat, and I believe I can.”
