Laura Anne Gillen Bio
Laura Anne Gillen is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. representative for New York’s 4th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Gillen previously made history as the first Democrat elected as town supervisor of Hempstead, New York, in a century. Her congressional district covers central and southern Nassau County on Long Island, representing a significant suburban area.
Early Life and Background
Laura Gillen was born on July 10, 1969, in Rockville Centre, New York, and grew up in Baldwin with her four siblings. She attended Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead for her secondary education. After high school, Gillen earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from Georgetown University in 1991. Following her undergraduate studies, she worked briefly at an entertainment agency before traveling abroad, where she became a scuba diving instructor in Thailand and volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India.
Path to US Politics
After her international experiences, Gillen returned to the United States and enrolled at New York University School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2000. She began her legal career as an associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel, working there until 2005. Gillen then practiced commercial litigation at the Uniondale-based law firm Westerman Ball Ederer Miller Zucker & Sharfstein. Her transition into politics was preceded by her work as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University Law School, where she shared her legal expertise with students before entering elected office.
Laura Anne Gillen Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
Gillen entered politics in 2017 when she narrowly defeated incumbent Anthony J. Santino for Hempstead Town Supervisor, becoming the first Democrat in 100 years elected to the position. Despite being outspent by $1.2 million, she won by a margin of 2,268 votes. During her campaign, Gillen criticized Santino’s treatment of fellow town board members Bruce Blakeman and Erin King-Sweeney, who later crossed party lines to endorse her. As supervisor, Gillen released a five-year capital plan in 2018 that included rehabilitation of a town 311 facility, a water testing lab, and $160 million in capital highway spending. However, she lost her 2019 reelection bid to Republican Donald X. Clavin Jr., then the town’s receiver of taxes.
House Breakthrough (2022-2025)
Gillen ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 for New York’s 4th congressional district, which was being vacated by incumbent Democratic Rep. Kathleen Rice. She won the Democratic primary but lost the general election to Republican Anthony D’Esposito. Undeterred, Gillen announced she would run against D’Esposito again in 2024. During this campaign, she expressed opposition to the implementation of congestion pricing in lower Manhattan. In the general election, Gillen defeated D’Esposito, successfully flipping the seat and securing her position in Congress. Her victory marked a significant achievement in her political career.
Congressional Era (2025-Present)
Since taking office in 2025, Gillen has established herself as a member of the Democratic Party who occasionally breaks with her party’s positions. She was among 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act. On March 6, 2025, she was one of 10 Democrats in Congress who joined all Republican colleagues in voting to censure Democratic congressman Al Green for speaking during Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address. Gillen was the first elected House Democrat to publicly decline to support Zohran Mamdani after he won the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, citing unachievable promises and higher taxes. In December 2025, reports indicated she voted against a bill to reopen the federal government before touting the funding it delivered to her district. On January 22, 2026, she voted to pass HR 7147 funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, including funding for ICE.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gillen’s political career has been marked by several significant milestones. Her election as Hempstead Town Supervisor in 2017 broke a century-long Republican hold on that position. In 2024, she successfully flipped New York’s 4th congressional district from Republican to Democratic control. Since entering Congress, she has gained attention for her independent voting record, including joining Republican colleagues on several key votes. Her outspoken criticism of fellow Democrat Zohran Mamdani demonstrated her willingness to challenge members of her own party.
Laura Anne Gillen Career Wins
Laura Gillen’s political career has been defined by significant victories despite facing electoral challenges. Her wins reflect both her ability to break through long-standing political barriers and her effectiveness in contested races.
Democratic Party Highlights
Gillen won the Democratic primary for New York’s 4th congressional district in 2022 before losing the general election. She returned in 2024 to successfully defeat incumbent Republican Anthony D’Esposito, flipping the district. Her victory in 2024 marked a significant achievement in her political career and brought the seat back under Democratic control after just two years of Republican representation.
Other Wins & Achievements
Gillen’s most notable achievement outside congressional politics was her 2017 victory as Hempstead Town Supervisor, breaking a 100-year Republican hold on the position. Despite losing her 2019 reelection bid, her tenure as supervisor included important initiatives such as a five-year capital plan with $160 million in highway spending and improvements to town facilities.
Laura Anne Gillen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Laura Gillen comes from a family background in Rockville Centre, New York, where she was born and raised with four siblings. Her educational path included Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, followed by higher education at Georgetown University and New York University School of Law, indicating a family value for education.
Personal Life
Gillen is married to Christopher Finegan, a producer. They have four children together and reside in Rockville Centre, New York. She is Catholic by faith, which influences her personal values and worldview.