Olena Nicks for Nassau Legislative District 5
Nassau County Legis. Olena Nicks (D-Uniondale) is running for reelection. Credit: James Escher
Find out the candidates Newsday's editorial board has selected on your ballot: newsday.com/endorsements2026
The 5th District includes Westbury and parts of Uniondale, Hempstead, West Hempstead and Franklin Square.
Last year, Nassau County's 5th Legislative District was redrawn as a majority-minority district. Incumbent Democrat Olena Nicks, 34, of Uniondale, is seeking reelection against Republican Moshe E. Hill, 40, of West Hempstead.
Nicks, a contract and finance analyst, is a member of the Uniondale Fire Department and a Uniondale library trustee. She joined the legislature in February 2025, initially representing the 2nd District.
Nicks secured $32,000 for repairs for the library and obtained a grant to help upgrade the auditorium at Uniondale High School.
Hill, a project coordinator for the Nassau County Board of Elections and political blogger, was active in getting the derelict Capri Motor Inn closed. He said his emphasis as a lawmaker would include public safety and fighting antisemitism.
Hill and Nicks know different parts of their district very well and are personally active in the civic life there. But Hill's focus is mainly on partisan politics while Nicks is trying to make government work.
Newsday Opinion endorses Nicks.
ENDORSEMENTS ARE DETERMINED solely by the Newsday editorial board, a team of opinion journalists focused on issues of public policy and governance. Newsday’s news division has no role in this process.
