Laura
Gillen

Laura Gillen is the former supervisor of the Town of Hempstead and has a history of taking on big polluters and protecting New York’s beaches.

Gillen was born and raised in Baldwin, New York, and after graduating from Georgetown University, she returned to New York to volunteer with GMHC, an organization that assists people living with HIV/AIDS. She later attended Georgetown Law Center and New York University School of Law. After graduating, she worked as a litigator for Cahill Gordon & Reindel, where she represented victims of domestic violence through the firm’s pro bono program. In 2017, she became the first woman and first Democrat in 100 years to be elected as Hempstead town supervisor. She established the first sustainability panel and implemented initiatives to reestablish the town’s water testing lab and create living barrier reefs to prevent erosion and protect waterways. She also initiated litigation to hold polluters accountable and recover costs from expanding filtration systems to remove contaminants from the public water supply.

As a representative, Gillen will work to preserve Long Island’s shorelines and coastal communities, advance climate action, and protect voting rights.

Gillen joins the U.S. House after defeating Representative Anthony D’Esposito, who landed himself on LCV Victory Fund’s 2024 Dirty Dozen and earned a 14% score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard in 2023.

“Climate change is wreaking havoc around the globe and in our local communities. As a Member of Congress, I will continue efforts to preserve and protect our shorelines and our Earth.” – LCVAF Questionnaire