First-term Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen falsely accused Republican nominee Jeanine Driscoll of backing a $42 million tax hike within the City of Hempstead in mailers despatched to voters, her opponent stated.
“Jeanine Driscoll caught us with an enormous tax hike we will’t afford,” one Gillen mailer claimed.
“Welcome to Nassau County. Dwelling of Jeanine Driscoll’s $42 million Tax Hike.”
Driscoll is the City of Hempstead Receiver of Taxes, overseeing an administrative workplace that collects and disburses taxes for the City of Hempstead and different particular districts and faculty districts.
In that capability, she has no function in voting on or approving or decreasing tax charges.
Regardless of that, Gillen’s mailers falsely put the blame on her for taxes going up.
“42 Million Tax Hike. Jeanine Driscoll delivered the most important tax hike in City historical past,” stated a 3rd Gillen marketing campaign assertion included within the mailers.
The mailers have been approved by the Gillen marketing campaign and mailed out by the New York State Democratic Social gathering, chaired by Jay Jacobs, who additionally occurs to be the Nassau County Democratic chief.
Driscoll cried foul over what she considers a smear.
“Laura Gillen attempting guilty me for tax hikes is like demanding a tax reduce from the IRS administrator — I acquire the payments, I don’t set the charges,” Driscoll stated.
“If voters wish to maintain somebody accountable for increased taxes, they need to have a look at the one individual on this race who really voted to hike them: Laura Gillen.”
Nassau County Republican Social gathering chairman Joseph Cairo Jr. additionally slammed Gillen for mendacity about his candidate’s file.
“Laura Gillen is aware of that Jeanine Driscoll has by no means voted for a tax improve…ever. Actually, Laura Gillen is the one candidate within the race for the NY-4 Congressional seat who voted for the most important tax improve in US historical past,” Cairo stated.
“Gillen voted ‘NO’ on eliminating taxes on suggestions, time beyond regulation, and social safety. She’s a serial tax hiker who’s attempting to deflect consideration from her abysmal excessive tax file by spinning a false narrative towards Jeanine Driscoll.”
Gillen voted towards the “Large Lovely Invoice” crafted by President Trump and Republicans that contained tax aid but additionally cuts to social service packages opposed by Democrats.
The Democratic incumbent has beforehand been known as out for taking credit score for funding of packages included in price range payments she voted towards.
The 4th Home district takes in Nassau County’s South Shore and racially various communities, and is taken into account a swing seat. It went Republican in 2022 and returned to Democrats and Gillen in 2024.
Gillen’s marketing campaign defended its technique of calling Driscoll a tax hiker.
“The information communicate for themselves. Truth: Jeanine Driscoll delivered a record-breaking tax hike and plucked $42 million proper out of the pockets of hard-working Lengthy Islanders,” a Gillen marketing campaign spokesperson stated.
“Her excuses don’t change the truth that on her watch taxes spiked over 12% within the City of Hempstead and she or he despatched you the invoice.”
A Lengthy Island political veteran expressed shock over the Gillen assault, a sign that the race is nearer than anticipated.
The Prepare dinner Political Report says the race leans towards Democrat Gillen.
“This can be a panic mailer. It’s the type of panic mailer that may backfire on you,” the supply stated.
Gillen, the previous Hempstead supervisor, misplaced to Republican Anthony D’Esposito in 2022.
However she defeated D’Esposito within the 2024 rematch.
Each races have been shut and hard-fought.
Lengthy Island Republican officers have been hopeful that D’Esposito, at the moment the inspector basic within the US Labor Division underneath President Trump, would make one other run for the seat. He declined.
Driscoll received the Republican main in June to tackle Gillen.
