Six candidates seek Democratic primary for New York Congressional District 4

Democrats on the south shore of Long Island are preparing for the June primaries with now six candidates seeking contest against U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in New York’s Fourth Congressional District.

Laura Gillen, a former Hempstead Town Supervisor and Rockville Centre-based attorney, who lost to D’Esposito by a less than four percent margin in the 2022 midterm elections, is feeling confident about the primaries and has already started to meet with community leaders about the race.

“We are not taking anything for granted and will be out working for every vote, in both the primary and the general election,” Sarah Carlson, the campaign manager for Laura Gillen, said. “Laura has a strong record as supervisor of fighting corruption, protecting the environment, and working to lower costs for Long Island families. Laura will be campaigning around the district highlighting her past work and how she’ll work in Congress on the issues that matter most.”

Carlson said that Gillen’s team is laying the groundwork to build a strong campaign, with the main objective of flipping the seat from red to blue and making sure that people come out to vote in the June primary.

New York state Sen. Kevin Thomas, a Levittown native representing the sixth district on Long Island, announced his intentions in July. Since then, his campaign spokesperson said, they have hit the ground running.

“In our first fundraising quarter we outraised our primary opponent,” Alexa Kennedy, campaign manager for Kevin Thomas, said. “With our proven track record of delivering for the NY-4 and winning tough races in this district, we are confident and committed to winning this race and better serving Long Island.”

Thomas will be putting it all on the line for the opportunity to run against D’Esposito in November, leaving a vacancy in the sixth Senate district, which covers Rockville Centre, Baldwin, Freeport, Uniondale, Hempstead, Lakeview, Roosevelt, Westbury, West Hempstead, Garden City, Carle Place and a portion of Oceanside.

Two candidates have already thrown their hats into the ring for the sixth Senate district seat—Assemblywoman Taylor Darling and Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe—who have both expressed an interest in running for the Democratic Party line in the June primary.

During his time in office, he has worked with a Democratic majority in Albany to cap property taxes, protect drinking water for Nassau County residents, fund veteran services and mental health care, and codify the right to an abortion into New York law.

UPDATED JAN. 22, 2024

Former Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, also filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on Jan. 10, making him the sixth entry for the primary on June 25. 

Denenberg was accused of falsifying documents in an attempt to steal more than $2 million from one of his former law firm's clients.  He would later resign from his position in Nassau County government in 2015, before pleading guilty to eight felony counts of mail fraud. 

Three additional candidates have also thrown their hats in the ring seeking the party endorsement, including Patricia Maher of Baldwin, Gian Jones of Rockaway Beach and Lawrence Henry of Baldwin.

Olympic gold medalist figure skater Sarah Hughes, a native of Great Neck who had initially expressed an interest in running for the Congressional seat, announced in September that she decided to bow out, citing her frustration with politics.

The incumbent, Congressman  D’Esposito, despite having the support of the Republican majority has had to navigate many unexpected challenges during his first year in office, including the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the expulsion of George Santos. He has also represented the south shore communities of Long Island against plans for an offshore wind farm project, the implementation of congestion pricing, and efforts to repeal the $10,000 State and Local Tax Deduction cap.