In 2017, Gillen narrowly defeated incumbent Anthony J. Santino for Hempstead Town Supervisor, becoming the first Democrat in 100 years elected to the position.[6] In the 2017 general election, Gillen was outspent by $1.2 million dollars and won by a margin of 2,268 votes.[6][7]
During her 2017 campaign for Supervisor, Gillen criticized Santino's treatment of fellow town board members Bruce Blakeman and Erin King-Sweeney.[8] The two town board members took issue with a Santino proposal to restrict board members from taking more than $125,000 in outside income. While Santino denied it, the two attorneys argued that it was an attempt to throw them off the board.[9] Blakeman would later cross party lines to endorse Gillen in October.[10]
In May 2018, Gillen released a five year capital plan which included rehabilitation of a town 311 facility and a water testing lab and $160 million in capital highway spending.[11]
Gillen announced she would run against D'Esposito again in 2024. She narrowly defeated him in the general election, flipping the seat.[2] During her campaign, she said she opposed the implementation of congestion pricing.[14]
.jpg)