Rep. Candidate D'Esposito Touts Record, Contrast With Democrat

ISLAND PARK, NY — Voters have another five weeks to weigh their options for Election Night. Congress will have new members representing Long Island, including from the 3rd District, held by retiring Democrat Kathleen Rice.

The race is between former Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen and current Town of Hempstead council member Anthony D'Esposito.

"I think we are going to have a great victory come November 8," D'Esposito told "Patch AM" on Friday. "The issues are on our side. People are fed up with her party."

He said voters want a change and that would mean switching the district red.

However, the Cook Political Report lists the NY-4 race as a "likely Democrat" win. D'Esposito isn't fazed by that analysis.

"I think people in Nassau County, Democrats who are moderate, feel like they've lost their party because of the far left 'wokeness' that they've brought upon our communities," he said.

D'Esposito points out that Gillen "lost her last election," seeking a second term as town supervisor in 2019 "because people didn't like the way she was running the Town of Hempstead."

Winning in a landslide to the town board in 2021, D'Esposito said the 70% was not just Republicans who voted for him, and he expects that formula "to continue this November."

He said the cost of living and inflation are the most important concerns to the electorate.

In an Aug. interview on "Patch AM" after winning her primary, Gillen referred to her opponent as a "political hack" who will do as his party instructs.

"Listen, if that's what we've come down to. She's running for United States Congress and her campaign has already fallen to name-calling," D'Esposito said. "I'm going to take the higher road."

The candidates will have at least one debate on Oct. 12.