Laura Gillen | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's4th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony D'Esposito |
| Town Supervisor ofHempstead | |
| In office 2018–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Santino |
| Succeeded by | Donald Clavin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Laura Anne Gillen (1969-07-10)July 10, 1969 (age 56) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Christopher Finegan |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Georgetown University (BA) New York University (JD) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Laura Anne Gillen (born July 10, 1969)[1] is an American politician and attorney serving as theU.S. representative forNew York's 4th congressional district since 2025. A member of theDemocratic Party, she previously served as thetown supervisor ofHempstead, New York. Her district includes central and southernNassau County, a suburban area onLong Island.
Gillen was born on July 10, 1969, inRockville Centre, New York, and grew up inBaldwin with her four siblings.[2][3][4] She attendedSacred Heart Academy inHempstead before earning aBachelor of Arts inpolitical science andgovernment fromGeorgetown University in 1991.[1][2]
After graduating, Gillen worked at an entertainment agency before traveling abroad.[5] She became ascuba diving instructor inThailand and later volunteered with theMissionaries of Charity inKolkata, India.[5][6]
Upon returning to the United States, Gillen enrolled at theNew York University School of Law, where she earned aJuris Doctor in 2000.[2]
Gillen began her legal career as an associate atCahill Gordon & Reindel, where she worked until 2005.[1] She then practiced commercial litigation at theUniondale-based law firm Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein.[5] Following her time in local government, Gillen worked as an adjunct professor atHofstra University Law School.[7]
In 2017, Gillen narrowly defeated incumbent Anthony J. Santino for Hempstead Town Supervisor, becoming the first Democrat in 100 years elected to the position.[8] In that election, Gillen was outspent by $1.2 million dollars and won by a margin of 2,268 votes.[8][9]
During her 2017 campaign for supervisor, Gillen criticized Santino's treatment of fellow town board membersBruce Blakeman and Erin King-Sweeney.[10] The two town board members took issue with a Santino proposal to restrict board members from taking more than $125,000 in outside income. While Santino denied it, the two attorneys argued that it was an attempt to throw them off the board.[11] Blakeman would later cross party lines to endorse Gillen in October.[12]
In May 2018, Gillen released a five year capital plan which included rehabilitation of a town 311 facility and a water testing lab and $160 million in capital highway spending.[13]
Gillen lost her 2019 bid for reelection as supervisor to Republican Donald X. Clavin Jr., then the town's receiver of taxes.[14]
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In 2022, Gillen ran for theNew York's 4th congressional district in2022 United States House of Representatives elections.[15] The seat was being vacated by incumbent DemocraticRep. Kathleen Rice.[3] Gillen won the Democratic primary,[16] but lost the general election to RepublicanAnthony D'Esposito.[17]
Gillen announced she would run against D'Esposito again in 2024. She defeated him in the general election, flipping the seat.[18] During her campaign, she said she opposed the implementation ofcongestion pricing in lower Manhattan.[19]
In 2025, Gillen was among 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for theLaken Riley Act.[20]
On March 6, 2025, Gillen was among 10 Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to censure Democratic congressmanAl Green for interrupting PresidentDonald Trump'sState of the Union Address.[21]
On September 19, 2025, Gillen was one of 95 Democrats in Congress who joined all of their Republican colleagues in voting to honor the life and legacy offar-right[22][23] political activistCharlie Kirk.[24]
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For the119th Congress:[25]
Gillen is married to Christopher Finegan, a producer. They have four children and live inRockville Centre, New York. She isCatholic.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Anthony D'Esposito | 129,353 | 47.63% | |
| Conservative | Anthony D'Esposito | 11,269 | 4.15% | |
| Total | Anthony D'Esposito | 140,622 | 51.78% | |
| Democratic | Laura Gillen | 130,871 | 48.19% | |
| Write-in | 67 | 0.02% | ||
| Total votes | 271,560 | 100% | ||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Laura Gillen | 190,569 | 50.75% | |
| Common Sense Party | Laura Gillen | 1,191 | 0.32% | |
| Total | Laura Gillen | 191,760 | 51.07% | |
| Republican | Anthony D'Esposito | 169,641 | 45.18% | |
| Conservative | Anthony D'Esposito | 13,516 | 3.60% | |
| Total | Anthony D'Esposito (incumbent) | 183,157 | 48.77% | |
| Write-in | 601 | 0.16% | ||
| Total votes | 375,518 | 100% | ||
| Democraticgain fromRepublican | ||||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 4th congressional district 2025–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 389th | Succeeded by |