BIOGRAPHY
Democrat Laura Gillen, 53, is a candidate for the state’s 4th Congressional District, running on the Democratic line ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
Gillen, who served as supervisor for the largest township in the United States from 2018 to 2019, was the first Democrat elected to the position in a century in an upset over incumbent Anthony Santino. Before being elected as supervisor, Gillen was interested in public service as a volunteer at South Nassau Communities Hospital and Camp Anchor.
A Georgetown University graduate, Gillen concentrated her studies on government, ultimately being honored as a George Baker Scholar. Gillen’s early work in the legal sector included an internship for Hon. Marian Blank Horn of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. As an NYU law student, she worked at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, serving on cases involving defamation, employment, securities regulation and more.
Gillen served her community throughout the coronavirus pandemic, volunteering with All Hands and Hearts, and distributing PPE to local police stations, businesses and health centers. Later on, she joined the Hofstra University faculty as an adjunct law professor.
THE ISSUES
Some of the issues facing the district that Gillen believes are the most pressing include the economy, crime, gun safety, women’s reproductive rights and voting rights. Gillen said working to repeal the cap on state and local taxes and providing financial relief for middle-class families are some of her top priorities if elected.
Getting illegal weapons off the street, she said, will aid in diminishing the growing crime rates throughout the district, along with sensible gun legislation and universal background checks. Removing hindrances for women to access the necessary health programs and family planning resources, she said, is also of vital importance to her.
Long Island’s high rates of 1,4 dioxane in its water systems, she said, is something representatives need to help tackle. Protecting Long Island’s shorelines and waterways is a paramount concern of hers ahead of the November election.
After aiding some of the town’s rebuilding efforts years after Superstorm Sandy, she said, Gillen has the necessary experience to not only be prepared to combat environmental disasters but do whatever it takes to be fully prepared for them.
THE DISTRICT
The 4th Congressional District currently includes the communities of Baldwin, Bellmore, East Rockaway, East Meadow, the Five Towns, Lynbrook, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Garden City, Garden City Park, Hempstead, Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Malverne, Freeport, Merrick, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Wantagh, West Hempstead, Westbury and parts of Valley Stream.