Tuesday, October 27, 2026
For the past year, Viviana Russell has represented Uniondale, Hempstead and surrounding communities in the Nassau County Legislature, focusing on securing resources for local institutions, expanding housing opportunities and connecting residents with services.
Russell, 54, who grew up in Queens, previously worked in government in North Hempstead and Suffolk County before starting a consulting business. She also works as an associate real estate broker. As she runs for another term in District 2, Russell, a Democrat, hopes to build on her work addressing residents’ needs.
One of her biggest accomplishments, she said, has been securing nearly $1 million in community funding for local school districts, libraries and fire departments. The money has helped replace library boilers, update playgrounds and purchase firefighting equipment.
A human trafficking Russell she released in August would impose stricter regulations on massage businesses suspected of human trafficking, penalize operators and property owners who profit from exploitation and fund support services for survivors while coordinating countywide prevention and enforcement efforts.
Russell also connects community organizations with resources that go beyond government funding. She connected Rebound on the Road, a free, eight-week truck-driving training program at Nassau Community College, with a local business that hired one of its graduates.
“Not everyone is going to go to college,” she said. “Not everyone knows what their path is, but at least you’re creating another.
“When I know something, I'm going to make sure everybody else knows about it,” she continued. “If you don't know, then you don't know what opportunities are out there for you.”
Housing is another priority for Russell, who said that Nassau County should do more to help residents afford to live on Long Island. She supports down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and expanding access to cooperative apartments, which can be less expensive than buying a house or condominium.
Russell is seeking answers about why the county’s down payment assistance program has been discontinued. She is also exploring legislation related to homeownership, and said that officials should consider alternative ways to make housing more accessible.
“Housing is like my baby,” she said. “That’s the thing that I’m very, very interested in.”
Russell also wants a comprehensive study of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property and the surrounding area, to determine what types of development would best serve residents. She supports a combination of housing and businesses, including possible medical offices, but said decisions should be guided by market research and community input.
“Do I think [all] housing should be there? Absolutely not — I think it would make it to dense,” Russell said. “But maybe a combination of housing and businesses — but that’s where a market study comes in.”
A concern among Uniondale residents is the improvement of its parks. Many people want recreational spaces and facilities such as running fields and pools. Russell said that improving Uniondale also requires cooperation among the county, the Town of Hempstead and residents. She has advocated for greater community involvement in development decisions, and said that officials must understand which level of government is responsible for addressing particular concerns.
Despite what she described as political polarization in county government, Russell remains optimistic about the potential for local partnerships to bring resources and services to schools, libraries, fire departments and other community institutions.
Republican candidate Lamont Johnson did not respond to the Herald’s request for interview.
