Island Vote: Hempstead's 1st Democrat supervisor in over a century looks to retain seat

Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen -- the first Democrat to hold the post in more than a century - will face off against Republican Hempstead Town Tax Receiver Don Clavin this Election Day.

News 12 Staff

Oct 28, 2019, 9:49 PM

Updated 1,640 days ago

Share:

Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen -- the first Democrat to hold the post in more than a century - will face off against Republican Hempstead Town Tax Receiver Don Clavin this Election Day.
Gillen calls herself a fiscal conservative and says she wants to continue her push to lower taxes and fight corruption.
But at Republican headquarters, volunteers are working fast to retake the office. Clavin is who they're betting on, and he brings 18 years of experience in the tax receiver role.
Clavin says cutting taxes is also his top priority, as well as slashing expenses.
"On day one, I am going to save $1 million just by slashing the budget of the supervisor's office," says Clavin.
Clavin also outlined a plan to eliminate take-home cars for senior commissioners and deputies, a move Gillen calls a political stunt. Gillen says Clavin just turned in the keys to his town car that he had for 18 years.
"The reality is Mr. Clavin can't bring himself to say there is a corruption problem in the Town of Hempstead," says Gillen.
The third candidate on the ticket is a Libertarian. Diane Madden is a grandmother and longtime Hempstead resident who says it's time for people, not politicians, to have a say.
"No matter the appearances - what's in the equation for Democrats and Republicans are themselves, their jobs, their power - not the people," says Madden.
With the state's largest town up for grabs, candidates are hoping this year's early voting option will help ramp up the numbers for voter turnout.
 


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

2:07
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:22
Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

1:52
Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck