The rematch between D'Esposito and Gillen in Long Island's swing district could be the key to securing a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives

GARDEN CITY, NY — As Election Day approaches, the rematch between Republican Rep. Anthony D'Esposito and Democratic challenger Laura Gillen in New York's 4th Congressional District is one of the most competitive races of 2024.

D'Esposito won the NY-04 seat in 2022, as he defeated Gillen in Long Island County.

The swing district turned red in 2022

From its beach towns to the Five Towns to Hempstead and Garden City, the district on Nassau County's south shore includes affluent and working-class communities.

The congressional seat has flipped from red to blue and back to red, even though more Democrats are registered there.

Gillen, lawyer, mother of four and former Hempstead town manager tried to hand it back to the Democrats.

“People are tired of this. They are tired of bipartisanship. They just want common sense and effective leadership,” Gillen said.

Two years ago, Gillen lost the seat by 10,000 votes to D'Esposito, a former police officer and city councilman.

“The same things that worried people in this county two years ago are the same things that worry them now, only the magnitude has grown,” D'Esposito said.

National issues are at the heart of the key race

National issues dominate the Long Island-style race.

“The border is a problem, crime is a problem, quality of life, cost of living, people go to the supermarket. It’s not just about taxes anymore,” D’Esposito said.

“He told us he would do it Get our SALT deduction back. “He’s been in the majority for two years and he’s failed,” Gillen said. “He has consistently voted against reproductive freedom.”

“I would never support a nationwide ban on abortion,” D’Esposito said. “This is the party that claims to protect women, and yet we allow people who have committed rape and other sexual crimes to cross our southern border.”

“He has been sitting at the table for two years. He didn’t secure our border,” Gillen said.

In a district that borders Queens, both candidates oppose New York City's congestion pricing. They also profess solidarity with Israel; The district is 16% Jewish.

Both candidates are trying to appeal to the middle

Gillen says D'Esposito approved the “MAGA agenda.” D'Esposito portrays Gillen as a supporter of the “radical left.” Both candidates say they are in the middle, where their voters live.

“Start solving problems together. We need to start talking to each other more. We must not denigrate the other side, but work with the other side,” Gillen said.

“I don't win a seat like this when there are 74,000 more Democrats than Republicans without appealing and without winning the trust of Democrats and independents,” D'Esposito said. “I governed in a non-partisan manner. I’ve been part of coalitions.”

One of these coalitions, D'Esposito voted for exclusion George Santos, fellow Long Island Republican, of Congress.

Regarding the attack, Gillen D'Esposito's allegations say hired a lover and his fiancée's daughter are no joke.

“He practices nepotism and nepotism and has spread corruption in every office he has held,” Gillen said.

D'Esposito says his private life is personal.

“There were no ethics violations whatsoever,” he said. “People hire people they know.”