--- title: "Gillen vs. Driscoll: 2026 New York’s 4th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-04" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 New York’s 4th District race: Laura Gillen (D) vs. Jeanine Driscoll (R) Rating: Tilt D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 In New York's 4th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Laura Gillen faces Republican challenger Jeanine Driscoll in a highly competitive suburban swing district in Nassau County. The seat has flipped between political parties in recent election cycles, making it a pivotal battleground for control of the U.S. House. The race centers primarily on middle-class affordability, the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, border security, and law enforcement. ## Candidates - **Laura Gillen** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://lauragillen.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) - **Jeanine Driscoll** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://driscoll4congress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeanine_Driscoll) ## Issues ### Taxes and Cost of Living Salience: high Driscoll emphasizes her local property tax reduction record while attacking Gillen's votes against Republican tax relief bills, whereas Gillen points to federal funding secured for Nassau County and her efforts to eliminate the SALT cap. **Laura Gillen:** Supports eliminating SALT cap and tax credits Gillen focuses her economic platform on reducing living expenses for suburban families by eliminating the federal SALT cap to stop double taxation. She highlights securing more than $50 million in federal investments for Nassau County and cutting health insurance premiums through ACA tax credits. On key congressional votes, she voted against major Republican tax and budget reconciliation legislation. - Secured over $50 million in federal investments for Nassau County public safety, clean water, and schools - Advocates eliminating the SALT deduction cap to relieve double taxation on Long Island homeowners - Supported extending ACA premium tax credits to reduce family health insurance expenses - Voted Nay on H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and H.Con.Res. 14 budget resolution > “She has been a leader in Congress working to eliminate the SALT cap, which has led to double taxation of Long Islanders.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) > “Since taking office, I’ve been focused on common-sense solutions to make life more affordable. In Congress I’m fighting to lower costs by extending tax credits that help families afford health care, eliminating the state and local tax deduction to give Long Islanders a much-needed tax cut, and preventing outrageous utility rate hikes that drain families’ wallets.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) **Jeanine Driscoll:** Supports full SALT deduction and tax relief Driscoll campaigns on her local record as Hempstead Receiver of Taxes helping residents lower property assessments and secure tax exemptions. In Congress, she pledges to restore the full SALT deduction and eliminate federal income taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. She attacks Gillen for voting against Republican tax relief proposals. - Highlights record as Hempstead Receiver of Taxes assisting homeowners with property tax exemptions and assessment reductions - Pledges to restore the full State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction - Proposes eliminating federal taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits for seniors - Advocates expanding the Child Tax Credit for working parents > “She will continue fighting to lower the tax burden by restoring the full State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction and providing additional relief for Nassau County families and seniors.” > — Jeanine Driscoll, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeanine_Driscoll) > “her opponent voted against quadrupling the SALT deduction, ending taxes on tips and overtime, eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits for 88% of seniors and increasing the Child Tax Credit for parents.” > — Jeanine Driscoll, via [Campaign site](https://driscoll4congress.com/) ### Border Security and Immigration Salience: high Driscoll favors complete border restriction and repealing New York sanctuary state laws, while Gillen balances votes for criminal deportation measures with protections for Haitian TPS holders. **Laura Gillen:** Supports targeted enforcement and TPS protection Gillen supports targeted border enforcement and immigration penalties for lawbreakers while advocating for humanitarian protections. In the 119th Congress, she voted for legislation mandating detention for non-citizens arrested for theft and deportation for DUI convictions. She also leads congressional efforts to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian residents. - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring detention of non-citizens arrested for burglary, theft, or shoplifting - Voted Yea on H.R. 875 making driving while impaired grounds for deportation or inadmissibility - Pushed Congress to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for law-abiding Haitian residents in Nassau County > “She has led the charge in Congress to extend TPS for law-abiding Haitians in Nassau County and across the country.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) > “As Haitian TPS holders face the possibility of being forced to return to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Laura has stood shoulder to shoulder with our Haitian neighbors.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) **Jeanine Driscoll:** Supports border shutdown and repealing sanctuary state laws Driscoll makes border enforcement and ending sanctuary policies central pillars of her campaign. She pledges to secure the southern border permanently and work with House Republican leaders to dismantle New York's sanctuary state policies. - Pledges to ensure the southern border is permanently secured against illegal crossings - Opposes New York's sanctuary state laws, arguing they shield violent criminals from law enforcement - Plans to coordinate with Congressional Homeland Security Committee members to empower local police on immigration > “In Congress, Jeanine will stand up for Nassau taxpayers, support law enforcement and ensure the southern border can never be opened again.” > — Jeanine Driscoll, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeanine_Driscoll) > “Kathy Hochul’s Sanctuary State law protects violent criminals instead of law-abiding New Yorkers. ... In Congress, I will work with my colleagues, Homeland Security Committee Chair Andrew Garbarino and Congressman Nick Lalota, to undo New York’s sanctuary policies and empower local law enforcement to do their job.” > — Jeanine Driscoll, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeanine_Driscoll) ### Public Safety and Law Enforcement Salience: medium Driscoll stresses her complete backing and endorsement from police organizations, whereas Gillen points to direct federal grant dollars secured for local public safety. **Laura Gillen:** Supports federal funding for local police and public safety Gillen emphasizes her ability to deliver federal public safety dollars directly to Nassau County communities. Her legislative actions include voting for bipartisan enforcement bills targeting theft and drunk driving offenses. - Secured direct federal funding grants dedicated to public safety across Nassau County - Supported enforcement legislation penalizing impaired driving and theft offenses > “Since taking office, Laura has proudly secured over $50M in federal funding to Nassau County, including direct investments in public safety, clean water and resources for families and students.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) **Jeanine Driscoll:** Supports police endorsements and law enforcement backing Driscoll highlights strong law enforcement support, securing endorsements from local police unions. She promises uncompromising backing for police officers and detectives across District 4. - Endorsed by the Nassau County Detectives Association, Inc. - Pledges total backing for police officers to preserve community safety > “I stand 100% with law enforcement and am grateful for the DAI’s dedication to protecting and preserving the communities in NY-4.” > — Jeanine Driscoll, via [Campaign site](https://driscoll4congress.com/) ### Healthcare Salience: medium Gillen detailed a healthcare platform centered on ACA credits and prescription costs, whereas Driscoll's platform materials do not document specific healthcare positions. **Laura Gillen:** Supports lowering drug costs and expanding Medicaid protections Gillen advocates for protecting healthcare access by opposing Medicaid funding cuts and extending ACA premium tax credits. She supports curbing pharmacy middlemen to lower prescription drug costs for working families. - Opposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid programs - Supported legislation regulating health insurance middlemen to reduce prescription drug prices - Fought to extend ACA premium tax credits to reduce monthly health insurance expenses > “She has stood up against historic Medicaid cuts and helped pass reforms to crack down on insurance middlemen who are unfairly raising the cost of prescriptions.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) **Jeanine Driscoll:** No documented position in our sources ### Democracy and Voting Rights Salience: low Gillen takes a documented position defending voting access and opposing federal election registration restrictions, while Driscoll has no documented voting rights platform in the sources. **Laura Gillen:** Supports protecting voting access and opposing voter restrictions Gillen opposes voter suppression efforts and supports federal protections for ballot access. She voted against the SAVE Act, which sought to require documentary proof of citizenship for federal election registration. - Advocates protecting democracy and voting access against restriction attempts - Voted Nay on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections > “She is also fighting to protect our democracy and stop the Administration’s attacks on voting rights by pushing back against attempts to suppress access to the ballot box.” > — Laura Gillen, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Laura_Gillen) **Jeanine Driscoll:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ny-04-house-election-winner) — NY-04 House Election Winner: Democrats 93.0%, Republicans 6.6% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSENY4-26) — NY-04 House winner?: Laura Gillen 92.5%, Jeanine Driscoll 7.6% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-04)