Wednesday, December 11, 2024
With just over a week left to campaign, Laura Gillen, the Democratic candidate in New York's 4th Congressional District, walked the platform of the Cedarhurst Long Island Rail Road station and along Cedarhurst Avenue introducing herself to constituents and discussing her plans if elected.
"I want them to know that I am in touch with the community, and I share their views, and I will be an advocate for them," Gillen said of the community members she spoke with. "It doesn't matter if you're R or D, it matters where you stand on Israel. I think it's important to a lot of folks here and I think it's important that they know where I stand."
Rep. Ritchie Torres from the state's 15th Congressional District joined Gillen during the Oct. 28 Five Towns appearance.
"I think that everybody here knows where Ritchie stands on Israel," Gillen said. "You could see the reaction of folks here, like 'You're my hero.' They love him here and I think having his endorsement, he would not endorse me if I was not going to be a starkly pro-Israel Democrat and I think it's kind of a validator."
Torres said he believes Five Towns residents want to know that he and Gillen have their backs.
"It's become more urgent than ever to send a message that the Democratic Party must be the home of the pro-Israel community," Torres said.
Gillen's opponent, incumbent Rep. Anthony D'Esposito, a Republican who defeated her in the 2022 election, introduced a Define to Defeat Act in April, clarifying legislation and providing an updated definition of antisemitism, helping better assess and prosecute criminal and discriminatory acts.
A spokesperson for D'Esposito previously told the Herald that the congressman has been to Israel several times, has met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is a board member of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and has been instrumental in passing several Israel aid bills.
Pamela Korn of Hewlett came out to show her support for Gillen in Cedarhurst.
"Laura is a moderate Democrat and I like centrist politicians,” Korn said. “She cares about the issues that I care about. Top of the list is she's got a plan to fight antisemitism. She is a strong supporter of Israel, and she also cares about reproductive freedom and wants to fight gun violence, and those are all issues I care about."
Gillen said she anticipates this to be a very close election.
"I think if you're not running scared, you're not running smart," Gillen said. "We are going to keep our foot on the gas through to the polls close on Nov. 5, and hope for a good night."
