Dems pick lawyer to challenge Nassau clerk

Nassau Democrats have selected Rockville Centre attorney Laura Gillen to challenge two-term Republican County Clerk Maureen O'Connell in November.

Gillen, 43, is of counsel to the litigation department at Westerman Ball Ederer Miller & Sharfstein in Uniondale. A first-time candidate and mother of four, Gillen said she'd "re-energize" the clerk's office, which maintains property records, licenses and court documents.

"The clerk's office is a profit center for the county and I want to work to make it operate more efficiently," she said.

O'Connell, 62, a former state assemblywoman, said she has modernized the office, moving Nassau from paper to electronic records. "I plan to run on my strong record," the East Williston native said.

-- Robert Brodsky