Rice Endorses Gillen To Fill Her Congressional Seat

GARDEN CITY, NY — There are multiple Democrats in the running to replace Congresswoman Kathleen Rice later this year. But the congresswoman herself has now endorsed one of those running: former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen.

Rice, a Democrat from Garden City, announced in February that she would not be seeking reelection this year, after serving New York's 4th Congressional District since 2015.

Gillen defeated Anthony Santino in 2017 to become the first Democrat to lead the Town of Hempstead in more than 100 years.

“Laura Gillen is a lifelong Long Islander who has already proven her political tenacity with a strong record of getting things done," Rice said in a statement. "As the first Democrat to serve as Hempstead Town Supervisor in a century, she has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, common-sense gun safety measures, and lowering taxes in Nassau County. She is the best choice to represent New York’s Fourth Congressional District, and I am proud to endorse her for this seat.”

Other contenders for Rice's seat include Nassau County Legislators Carrie Solages and Siela Bynoe, as well as Malverne Mayor Keith Corbett. The primary is scheduled for June 28.