Former Assemblywoman Darling mounts primary challenge to Gillen
Taylor Darling served in the state Assembly 2019 to 2024. Credit: James Escher
WASHINGTON — Former State Assemblywoman Taylor Darling of Hempstead is the latest Democrat looking to challenge Rep. Laura Gillen in a primary race for the 4th Congressional District seat.
Darling, 42, in a phone interview Monday told Newsday she was urged to run by residents in the district angry over Gillen’s vote last month to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees federal immigration enforcement agencies. Gillen (D- Rockville Centre) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) among the seven Democrats to cross party lines on Jan. 22 to vote for the spending bill.
Darling, who first announced her intent to run this past weekend in an interview with the outlet City & State, told Newsday there are district residents who continue to live in fear over the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Nassau County.
"I’m here to protect them," Darling said. "We have people who are refusing to go and be treated at Nassau University Medical Center ... We have [school] attendance records that have absolutely been impacted by the presence of ICE here ... We also have individuals who are afraid to go to work."
Gillen has drawn other primary challengers in the district — Kiana Bierria-Anderson, Gian Jones, and Nicholas Jude Sciretta have all filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run.
Gillen’s campaign in a statement touted her endorsement from local and national figures, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and one she announced Monday from state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs,. “Congresswoman Gillen has the backing of national and local leaders in her re-election bid and is the only Democratic candidate who can win this seat in November,” her campaign said in a statement.
Asked about the endorsements, Darling a former state assemblywoman who served from 2019 to 2024, said: "This is going to be a battle between having the leaders that people pick for us, and having the leaders that we pick for ourselves who do the work."
Darling ran for state senate in 2004, but lost the Democratic primary to former Nassau Legis. Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury). Darling, who attended Uniondale public schools and graduated with degrees from Spelman College in Atlanta and Hofstra University, said she has been working as a consultant to nonprofit organizations.
Nassau Republicans have yet to officially endorse a candidate, but Nassau GOP Chairman Joe Cairo has been encouraging former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) to enter the race.
Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.
Winter break is full of fun NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday Deputy Lifestyle Editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at activities to do with the family this winter break.
Winter break is full of fun NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday Deputy Lifestyle Editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at activities to do with the family this winter break.
