Laura Gillen

ON THE ISSUES

• Advocate for protecting New York’s water 
• Will invest in upgrading parks and water infrastructure projects

WHY THIS RACE MATTERS

• Toss up race - In 2022,  Laura Gillen lost this race just over 3% of the vote. This will be one of the most competitive House races this year
• Flipping this seat will help win a pro-environmental majority in the House, making it easier to pass climate legislation at the federal level

CANDIDATE BACKGROUND

Laura Gillen is running to represent New York's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She began her career as an agent for a leading speakers bureau, and served as a GMHC volunteer, assisting persons living with HIV/AIDS. Gillen also completed an extended volunteer mission in Calcutta, India, with the Missionaries of Charity, where she worked in Mother Teresa’s home for the dying. She attended night law school classes at Georgetown after she returned and clerked for the Hon. Marian Blank Horn of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. After graduating from NYU School of Law, she practiced at the firm Cahill Gordon, focused on securities regulation, defamation, employment, and intellectual property law. As part of the firm’s pro bono program, she worked with victims of domestic violence. After moving back to Long Island, she joined the Westerman Ball law firm. In 2017, she defeated incumbent Republican Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony Santino by 2,268 votes after being outspent by $1.2 million. Gillen was the first woman and first Democrat in 100 years to serve as Hempstead Town Supervisor. Hempstead is the largest township in the country. During her time as supervisor, she released a first-ever five-year capital plan which included reopening a water testing lab as well as upgrading parks and water infrastructure. She is running for Congress to advance climate action and protect Long Island's shorelines. Gillen is endorsed by LCV Action Fund.