Anthony D’Esposito vs Laura Gillen: Will red Long Island House seat flip for Dems?

NEW YORK - This Election Day, Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito vies to retain his seat against Democratic challenger Laura Gillen in New York's fourth congressional district, a slice of Long Island with a majority of registered Democrats.

JUMP TO: Who is Anthony D'Esposito? | Who is Lauren Gillen?

D’Esposito, a former NYPD detective, is framing Gillen as soft on crime and blaming Democratic immigration policies for the rise in migrant numbers, all while facing allegations that he hired his fiancée's daughter and his lover, placing them on his payroll.

Gillen, a former town supervisor, has countered these claims, pledging to support increased law enforcement and border security if elected. 

Could NY-4 flip from red to blue? 

Long Island, just east of New York City, could play a key role in deciding which party controls Congress. Home to about 3 million people, it’s become a battleground despite being in deep-blue New York, according to the Associated Press.

This includes New York's fourth congressional district, accounting for southern and central Nassau County.

Even though Biden won NY-4 by 15 percentage points in 2020, D’Esposito narrowly defeated Gillen by four points in 2022. But many polls show their 2024 rematch to be a "toss-up," like the nonpartisan Cook Political Report and the Center for Politics.

While Democrats need only a few seats to regain the House majority, Republicans have gained ground in the region, driven by concerns over crime, immigration, and the economy. This political shift mirrors trends in other suburban areas across the country ahead of November's elections.

"There are 30 or 40 districts out of 435 that are actually competitive, so whichever party is able to win those competitive seats, the swing voters, is the one that's going to control Congress," said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University. 

Democrats aim to flip the seat, with Gillen backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s "Red to Blue" initiative, while D’Esposito has the endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Both candidates stress their moderate stances, promoting themselves as strong supporters of Israel and opponents of New York City's proposed congestion pricing. 

D’Esposito has the power of incumbency and a strong local political organization, while Gillen has the advantage of more Democratic enrollment in the district. 

Who is Anthony D'Esposito?

Before entering the political sphere, D'Esposito was a detective with the NYPD and chief of the Island Park Fire Department, according to this campaign biography.

In 2016, he began serving on Hempstead's town council and held the position until he was elected to Congress. Several members of his immediate family also held political positions in Nassau County, according to the New York Times.

He serves on a handful of congressional committees, including the House Committee on Homeland Security, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the House Committee on House Administration. D’Esposito has made public safety a priority of his campaigns and boasts of delivering millions of federal dollars to help local law enforcement. 

D'Esposito mistress, ethics scandal

D’Esposito may have violated ethics rules designed to combat nepotism and corruption, according to a New York Times article that alleges the longtime Republican had his fiancée’s daughter on his payroll as well as his mistress.

The congressional representative allegedly paid his mistress $29,000, according to the article that says payments stopped last summer, around the time his fiancée found out about his mistress. 

While the House Ethics Committee isn’t commenting, the House Code of Conduct prohibits members of Congress from employing relatives, including stepchildren, and forbids members from engaging in sexual relationships with employees under their supervision. 

"There are absolutely zero ethics violations, and my personal life is my personal life," D’Esposito told FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg in a recent interview.

"The only reason it stopped is because he got caught," Gillen told Goldberg. 

Political positions

D'Esposito on abortion

D'Esposito says he has never supported a national abortion ban and opposed efforts to restrict the accessibility of Mifepristone, according to his website.

D'Esposito on Israel

D'Esposito said he believes the United States must support Israel’s right to self-defense against ongoing threats from Hamas and Iran, while also countering economic aggression through the "Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions," (BDS) movement. He emphasizes standing with Israel to ensure its security and sovereignty, pledging to oppose any re-entry into the Iran nuclear deal. 

D'Esposito also plans to strengthen military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, preserve policies like the Taylor Force Act, and maintain the relocation of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

D'Esposito on economy

According to D'Esposito, the economy has not fully rebounded from COVID-19-related business closures and mandates. He said he believes in lifting the regulatory barriers and lowering the tax burden facing families and small businesses.

He blames inflation and the high cost of living on President Joe Biden and Democrats, including his opponent. 

"She’s no good for taxes, the economy, the border," he said. "There is no doubt that Gillen has been rejected twice, and she'll be rejected a third time because people in [NY-4] know she's not right for the state or country." 

Who is Laura Gillen?

Gillen began serving as supervisor for Hempstead in 2017, the first Democrat elected to the position in 112 years. She is also an attorney and a mother of four. 

The Democratic candidate said she is confident in her ability to flip her district.

"We have far more resources this time so we’re really making sure that we are out there talking not just to Democratic voters but to independent and Republican voters," she told FOX 5 NY's Jodi Goldberg. 

Political positions

Gillen on immigration

Gillen said she plans to work with both parties to secure the border, increase border patrol funding, invest in technology, and expedite asylum processes. She supports federal aid to New York for managing the migrant crisis and backs an earned pathway to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants.

Gillen on abortion

Gillen said opposes anti-abortion extremism and supports reinstating Roe v. Wade protections, passing the Women’s Health Protection Act, and safeguarding access to contraception and IVF.

Gillen on gun safety

She said she advocates for universal background checks, an assault weapons ban and expanding New York’s red flag laws to prevent violence.

Gillen on Israel

Gillen said she supports Israel, calling for the hostages’ return and a two-state solution, per her campaign's website.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.