New York's 4th District: A Guide to the Nov. 3 Election

New York's 4th District: A Nonpartisan Guide to the Nov. 3 Election

How to Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Choose the two or three that matter most to you.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House writes federal law and the federal budget, and all bills that raise taxes must start there. Local ballot measures, when present, change state or local law.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then check their own words, their endorsements, and who funds each campaign.

The 2024 congressional map remains in force for the 2026 election; the district's lines do not differ from those used in 2024. A state judge ordered a redraw of New York's map in a case concerning District 11, but the U.S. Supreme Court stayed that order while the state appeal continued, leaving the existing map in place for 2026.

Nassau County's published 2026 candidate list prints the House candidates in this order: Laura A. Gillen, Jeanine C. Driscoll, Blay Tarnoff. That ballot order is used throughout this guide.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The 4th District covers part of Nassau County. The 270toWin consensus rates the race Likely Democratic. The seat is not open; Laura Gillen is the incumbent running for re-election.

Candidates in Brief

| | Laura Gillen (D) | Jeanine Driscoll (R) | Blay Tarnoff (L) |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Party | Democrat | Republican | Libertarian |
| Incumbent? | Yes | No | No |
| Background | U.S. representative for NY-4 since 2025; Hempstead Town Supervisor, 2018–2020; attorney; Georgetown University and NYU School of Law graduate | Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes since 2019, re-elected 2023; practicing attorney for more than 30 years; served as Associate Village Justice in Bellerose | Libertarian activist since 1990 and Nassau County Libertarian Party chair; career in computer systems analysis; J.D. from Pace University; A.B. in mathematics from Brown University |
| Top priorities | Lowering the cost of living; eliminating the SALT cap; restoring ACA premium tax credits; extending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians | Enhancing Nassau County residents' quality of life; restoring the full SALT deduction; supporting law enforcement and securing the southern border | Ending inflation by returning to a gold standard or pegging the dollar to bitcoin; eliminating administrative agencies; privatizing functions suitable for private institutions |
| Campaign website | lauragillen.com | driscoll4congress.com | tarnoff.mystrikingly.com |

Where They Stand

| Issue | Laura Gillen (D) | Jeanine Driscoll (R) | Blay Tarnoff (L) |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Cost of living | Committed to making life more affordable on Long Island, including lowering taxes and addressing rising prices | Says tax relief is the most direct way to provide relief from rising costs | Says removing unnecessary regulations, ending inflation and ending the income tax would increase real income and lower prices |
| Health care | Fighting to restore ACA premium tax credits; supports protecting and strengthening Medicare | Supports tax relief for family caregivers and expanding Health Savings Accounts to reduce their financial burden | Says government involvement in health care should end and free-market competition should replace it |
| Housing | Says Nassau County should be a place where people can afford to buy a home and raise a family | Says the high cost of Long Island housing is a concern for young professionals and that reducing property taxes is important | Says ending inflation, income tax and unnecessary regulations would help people afford housing of their choice |
| Immigration | says she led efforts to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in Nassau County and across the country | Would work to ensure the southern border is secure | Not found |
| Abortion | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Climate and energy | Says she has fought for federal funding to strengthen Long Island shorelines and prepare for natural disasters | Says there should be additional federal support for homeowners in flood-prone areas and dedicated funds to speed storm recovery | Says private and class-action lawsuits against polluters should be restored, and that economic growth is important to a clean environment |
| Foreign policy | Says she has repeatedly voted to end the war in Iran | Not found | Not found |
| Elections | Says she is pushing back against attempts to suppress access to the ballot box | Not found | Calls for investigations into what he describes as systemic compromise of electoral institutions |
| SALT deduction | Says she wrote and led a bill to fully and permanently restore the SALT deduction | Says she will work to ensure Nassau County homeowners can deduct every penny of their state and local tax bills | Not found |

In Their Own Words

Laura Gillen, in an ABC7 New York interview on affordability, Nov. 2: "We pay the highest health care costs in the world. We need to bring those costs down."

Jeanine Driscoll, in the amNewYork/AARP questionnaire response, Oct. 29: "Tax relief is the most direct vehicle to provide relief for skyrocketing costs."

Blay Tarnoff, on the campaign issue page on affordability, accessed Nov. 3: "Real income will rise, and prices will fall."

Questionnaires and Debates

Laura Gillen responded to the amNewYork/AARP questionnaire. No response was found for Vote411, Ballotpedia Candidate Connection, or Patch.

Jeanine Driscoll responded to the amNewYork/AARP questionnaire and to Patch. Driscoll declined the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. No response was found for Vote411.

Blay Tarnoff responded to the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. No response was found for Vote411, amNewYork/AARP, or local newspapers and public media.

No debates were found for this race.

Endorsements

| Candidate | Endorser | Type | Source |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Laura Gillen | Pete Aguilar | U.S. representative | VoteHub |
| Laura Gillen | Katherine Clark | U.S. representative | VoteHub |
| Laura Gillen | Hakeem Jeffries | U.S. representative | VoteHub |
| Laura Gillen | Gregory Meeks | U.S. representative | City & State NY |
| Laura Gillen | Jay Jacobs | Political party | City & State NY |
| Laura Gillen | New York State United Teachers | Labor union | NYSUT |
| Laura Gillen | Communication Workers of America District 1 | Labor union | CWA District 1 |
| Laura Gillen | Reproductive Freedom for All | Organization | Reproductive Freedom for All |
| Jeanine Driscoll | Donald Trump | Executive branch / federal official | Roll Call |
| Jeanine Driscoll | Bruce Blakeman | Local official | Roll Call |
| Jeanine Driscoll | NRCC | Organization | NRCC |

Gillen also received endorsements from Giffords PAC and End Citizens United, as well as from the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Who is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings for Laura Gillen, Jeanine Driscoll, and Blay Tarnoff for the 2026 cycle.

| Metric | Laura Gillen (D) | Jeanine Driscoll (R) | Blay Tarnoff (L) |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Total raised | $6.2 million (through Oct. 14, 2026) | $685,000 (through Oct. 14, 2026) | $25,000 (through Sept. 30, 2026) |
| Small donors (under $200) | 23% | 40% | 100% |
| Larger donors (over $200) | 55% | 28% | 0% |
| PACs and other committees | 21% | 32% | 0% |
| Party committees | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Self-funding | $0; 0% | $0; 0% | $0; 0% |
| Transfers from joint fundraising | $1.0 million | $127,000 | $0 |
| Cash on hand | $3.2 million (as of Oct. 14, 2026) | $2,553 (as of Oct. 14, 2026) | $66 (as of Sept. 30, 2026) |
| Larger-donor dollars from NY | 48% | 88% | No state data on file |
| Outside spending for / against | For $4,780 / against $0 | For $0 / against $297 | None reported |

Top PAC donors — Laura Gillen

The five largest political action committee (PAC) donors to Gillen's campaign were the American Postal Workers Union Committee on Political Action at $12,000 (labor); the Air Line Pilots Association PAC at $10,000 (labor); the Allied Pilots Association Political Action Committee at $10,000 (labor); the Amalgamated Transit Union - COPE at $10,000 (labor); and the American Association for Justice Political Action Committee (AAJ PAC) at $10,000 (other).

Top PAC donors — Jeanine Driscoll

The five largest PAC donors to Driscoll's campaign were American Revival PAC at $5,000 (other); Baker PAC at $5,000 (other); Conservative Opportunity Leadership and Enterprise PAC at $5,000 (ideological or issue group); Defending the American Dream PAC at $5,000 (other); and Electing Majority Making Effective Republicans PAC at $5,000 (party or leadership PAC).

No PAC donors were reported for Blay Tarnoff.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings; smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors' names are not public.

The Incumbent's Record

Votes listed here were selected by one rule applied to every incumbent: final passage of each spending, budget, or defense bill that became law, every vote on a war powers resolution, and every vote against the majority of the member's own party, from the official House and Senate roll calls.

Committees and Caucuses

Laura Gillen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including the Aviation Subcommittee, the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and as Vice Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. Gillen also serves on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, including the Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee.

Caucuses include the Bipartisan Women's Caucus, Congressional Bipartisan Policy Working Group, Congressional Equality Caucus, Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Congressional Fusion Caucus, Congressional Labor Caucus, Congressional Long Island Sound Caucus, Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus, Democratic Women's Caucus, House Democratic Caucus, House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, New Democrat Coalition, New Democrat Coalition Action Fund, New Democrat Coalition Immigration and Border Security Working Group, New Democrat Coalition Secure Borders Task Force, and SALT Caucus.

Key Votes Since June 2026

| Date | Measure | Question | Gillen's vote | Outcome | Broke with party? |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------- | ------- | ----------------- |
| June 3, 2026 | War Powers Resolution — remove forces from hostilities with Iran | On Agreeing to the Resolution | Yes | Passed | No |
| June 4, 2026 | War Powers Resolution — remove forces from Lebanon | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | No |
| June 4, 2026 | Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027 | On Passage | No | Passed | No |
| June 30, 2026 | War Powers Resolution — remove forces from hostilities in Lebanon | On Agreeing to the Resolution | No | Failed | Yes |
| July 22, 2026 | Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2027 | On Passage | No | Passed | No |
| July 22, 2026 | National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 | On Passage | No | Passed | No |
| July 23, 2026 | War Powers Resolution — remove forces from hostilities with Iran | On Agreeing to the Resolution | Yes | Passed | No |
| Sept. 1, 2026 | North Atlantic right whale regulations extension | On Passage | No | Passed | No |
| Sept. 16, 2026 | War Powers Resolution — remove forces from hostilities with Iran | On Agreeing to the Resolution | Yes | Passed | No |

Party Breaks

Laura Gillen voted against the majority of the Democratic Party on 10 roll-call votes since June 2026. Up to five of those votes were on final-passage votes on bills:

| Date | Measure | Question | Gillen's vote | Outcome |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ------------- | ------- |
| June 10, 2026 | No Aid for Ghost Students Act | On Passage | Yes | Passed |
| June 10, 2026 | Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act | On Passage | Yes | Passed |
| July 22, 2026 | Main Street Act | On Passage | Yes | Passed |
| July 23, 2026 | Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act | On Passage | Yes | Passed |
| Sept. 3, 2026 | Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act | On Passage | Yes | Passed |

Gillen missed 0% of roll-call votes this Congress, according to the missed\_votes\_percentage figure in the incumbent record.

Bills Sponsored

Laura Gillen sponsored 20 bills or resolutions in the 119th Congress: 12 remain at the introduced stage, seven are in committee, and one passed the House. The bill that passed the House is H.R. 1689, which would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. Gillen cosponsored 275 bills.

Contested Claims

Laura Gillen's campaign said Gillen was working across party lines to lower taxes and restore the full SALT deduction. House records show Gillen voted Nay on April 30, on a proposed amendment to H.R. 7567; the record does not identify it as a SALT vote. No independent fact-check was found.

Laura Gillen's campaign said Jeanine Driscoll, as Hempstead Tax Receiver, delivered the town's largest tax increase, 12.1%. Newsday reported that the Town Board approved the 12.1% tax-levy increase by a 6–0 vote; the report does not say Driscoll set or voted on the tax rate. No independent fact-check was found.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said Gillen's campaign falsely accused Driscoll of raising town taxes, arguing that the Tax Receiver does not set tax rates. Newsday reported the Town Board approved the tax-levy increase 6–0; the story does not address whether Driscoll had a role in delivering it. No independent fact-check was found.

Jeanine Driscoll said in a Patch candidate questionnaire that Gillen voted against quadrupling the SALT deduction and against eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security. The House roll-call record shows Gillen voted Nay on H.R. 1 on May 22, 2025; the record establishes the vote but does not substantiate Driscoll's descriptions of the bill's specific tax provisions. No independent fact-check was found.

Challengers' Records

Jeanine Driscoll has served as Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes since 2019, re-elected in 2023, and as Associate Village Justice in the Village of Bellerose, appointed in 2015. Driscoll has not served in Congress and has no legislative voting record to review.

Blay Tarnoff has not held public office. Tarnoff has no legislative voting record to review.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

Several interest groups rate members of Congress based on their voting records. Groups that have rated Laura Gillen include Heritage Action for America (7%, 119th Congress), the American Conservative Union/CPAC (32%, 2025), the AFL-CIO (92%, 2025), the League of Conservation Voters (84%, 2025), and the National Taxpayers Union (16%, 119th Congress, first session). No Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score was found for Gillen.

Each group selects a different set of votes to score, so their ratings measure different things.

Neither Jeanine Driscoll nor Blay Tarnoff has served in Congress, so no congressional scorecard ratings apply to either challenger.

Also On Your Ballot

No statewide ballot measures were confirmed for New York's Nov. 3 general election ballot. The New York State Board of Elections' 2026 General Election ballot certification lists candidates, not measures. For local measures specific to your address in Nassau County, the Nassau County Board of Elections page at nassaucountyny.gov/566/Board-of-Elections lists sample ballots and any local referenda.

Before You Go

Early voting ran Oct. 24–Nov. 1. Local county boards provide hours and locations. Voters may use assigned early-voting centers in their county. Source: New York State Board of Elections, Early Voting.
Election Day hours: Polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. statewide on Nov. 3. Source: New York State Board of Elections, Election Information.
Voter ID: If the Board could not verify a voter's identity before Election Day, the voter will be asked for ID when voting for the first time. What a voter who cannot provide ID may do is not stated on the state elections office page. Source: New York State Board of Elections, Election Security.
In the booth: The state elections office pages checked did not include a statement about bringing a sample ballot or notes, or about what voters may not bring into the booth. Check the Nassau County Board of Elections for any county-specific rules.
Registration deadline: Applications for the Nov. 3 general election must have been received by Oct. 24. Source: New York State Board of Elections, Registration and Voting Deadlines.
Mail ballots: Mail the ballot with a postmark no later than Nov. 3; it must reach the county board by Nov. 10. Ballots may also be returned in person at the county board, an early-voting site, or an Election Day poll site by 9 p.m. on the applicable date. Source: New York State Board of Elections, Request a Ballot.
Polling place lookup: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov — New York State Board of Elections, Ways to Vote.
Hotlines: New York State Board of Elections voter information: 1-800-367-8683 (elections.ny.gov/contact-us). Election Protection: call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) at 866ourvote.org.