Laura Gillen Biography
Laura Gillen is a Democratic politician currently running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 4th Congressional District in the 2024 elections. She previously served as the Town Supervisor of Hempstead from 2018 to 2020, making history as the first Democrat in 112 years to hold that office. During her time as Supervisor, she managed a $500 million budget, focused on reducing corruption, and implemented policies that helped lower taxes for residents.
In her current campaign, Gillen emphasizes addressing issues like economic security, affordable healthcare, gun safety, and protecting reproductive rights. She has also been actively involved in combating antisemitism and promoting mental health resources. Gillen’s campaign is supported by prominent Democrats and labor unions, and she has been included in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, signaling her as a strong contender to flip the district from Republican control.
The 2024 race is a rematch between Gillen and incumbent Republican Anthony D’Esposito, whom she narrowly lost to in 2022.
 Laura Gillen Age
Laura Gillen was born in 1969, making her 55 years old as of 2024.
Laura Gillen Hometown
Laura Gillen hails from Baldwin, New York.
Laura Gillen Family: Husband and Children
Laura Gillen is married to Chris Gillen, and together they have four children. The family currently resides in Rockville Centre, New York.
Laura Gillen Educational Background
Laura Gillen has a solid educational background rooted in both political science and law. She earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Georgetown University, where she was selected as a George Baker Scholar, an honor that recognizes leadership and community service. After completing her undergraduate studies, Gillen pursued her legal education at the New York University (NYU) School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree.
Laura Gillen Political Party
Laura Gillen is a member of the Democratic Party. She has run for office as a Democrat, including her 2017 election as Hempstead Town Supervisor, where she became the first Democrat in 112 years to hold that position. She is currently running for Congress in New York’s 4th Congressional District as the Democratic candidate​.
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Laura Gillen Career
Laura Gillen has had a distinguished career that spans law, politics, and public service, marked by her commitment to transparency, advocacy, and governance. After completing her law degree, Gillen began her legal career as a litigator at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, one of New York’s top law firms. At Cahill, she handled high-stakes commercial litigation, particularly in areas like securities regulation, defamation, employment, and intellectual property. This role allowed her to work with some of the most prominent companies in the U.S., gaining experience in managing complex legal cases. Gillen’s time at Cahill was also marked by her participation in the firm’s pro bono program, where she provided legal services to victims of domestic violence, a cause she continued to champion throughout her career​.
After her time at Cahill, Laura moved back to Long Island and joined the Westerman Ball law firm. Here, she continued to develop her expertise in commercial litigation, while also expanding into local legal issues affecting the Long Island community. Her work at Westerman Ball included a focus on labor law, where she advocated for fair treatment of workers and helped companies navigate employment regulations.
In 2017, Laura Gillen made history when she was elected as Town Supervisor of Hempstead, the largest township in the U.S. This victory was particularly notable because it marked the first time a Democrat had held the position in 112 years. As Supervisor, Gillen managed a budget of nearly $500 million and oversaw a workforce of thousands. One of her key achievements in this role was implementing a comprehensive five-year capital plan, which included investing $160 million in road resurfacing, upgrading park facilities, and improving drainage infrastructure​. Gillen also pushed for transparency in government, mandating the public posting of town contracts online and requiring competitive bidding for all professional service contracts exceeding $10,000.
Another significant aspect of her tenure as Hempstead Town Supervisor was her work on environmental and public health issues. She spearheaded litigation efforts to recover damages related to contaminants in the town’s public water supply, including chemicals linked to cancer. These efforts not only aimed to improve public safety but also sought to reduce the financial burden of installing filtration systems, which would have otherwise fallen on taxpayers.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gillen remained active in serving her community. She partnered with All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit organization, to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to police stations, healthcare centers, and local businesses across Long Island.
In addition to her political roles, Laura Gillen has had a longstanding career as a law educator. She has worked as an adjunct professor of law at Hofstra University, where she imparts her extensive knowledge of law and public policy to the next generation of legal professionals.
After serving as Hempstead Town Supervisor until 2019, Gillen continued to be involved in advocacy work. She became known for her efforts to promote veterans’ benefits, having passed key legislation to give veteran-owned businesses a competitive edge in government contracts. This focus on veterans reflects her broader commitment to social justice and equity, which has been a consistent theme throughout her career​.
In 2022, Gillen ran for U.S. Congress in New York’s 4th Congressional District, aiming to bring her local governance experience to a national platform. Although she lost the election by a narrow margin, her platform focused on key issues such as reproductive rights, economic equity, gun safety, and environmental protection. Her legal and governance background provided her with the expertise to propose comprehensive solutions to these complex issues. Gillen is currently running again in 2024, making this a highly anticipated rematch​.
Laura Gillen Net Worth
As of 2024, Laura Gillen’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, she has been involved in significant political and public service roles, including managing a nearly $500 million budget as the Hempstead Town Supervisor. Her campaign for Congress has raised considerable funds, amounting to over $1.8 million for her 2024 race.
Laura Gillen Social Media Presence
Laura Gillen maintains an active presence on various social media platforms as part of her congressional campaign. You can follow her on:
- Twitter: @lauraagillen
- Instagram: @lauragillen
- Facebook: Laura Gillen
FAQs
What political party does Laura Gillen belong to?
Laura Gillen is a member of the Democratic Party.
What office is Laura Gillen running for in 2024?
She is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 4th Congressional District in the 2024 elections.
What was Laura Gillen’s previous political role?
Laura served as the Town Supervisor of Hempstead from 2018 to 2020, making history as the first Democrat in 112 years to hold the position.
What is Laura Gillen’s professional background?
Before entering politics, Laura was a commercial litigator at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP and Westerman Ball, specializing in areas such as securities regulation, defamation, and employment law.
Has Laura Gillen run for Congress before?
Yes, she ran for Congress in 2022 but narrowly lost to Republican Anthony D’Esposito.
What significant reforms did Laura implement as Town Supervisor?
Laura introduced the first-ever five-year capital plan for Hempstead, focused on infrastructure improvements, and initiated transparency reforms in government contracts.
