Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) and Democrat Laura Gillen faced off in a debate on Oct. 15 in a crucial congressional district that could determine the party that controls the House of Representatives on Nov. 5.
D’Esposito, a former NYPD officer, has represented New York’s Fourth Congressional District since Jan. 3, 2023. Gillen, on the other hand, served as the Hempstead Town Supervisor.
This debate marks a rematch from 2022 when D’Esposito won with 51.8 percent of the vote, helping the GOP regain control of the House. Notably, President Joe Biden had won the district by 14 percentage points in 2020.
Controversies
During the debate, D’Esposito and Gillen addressed controversies surrounding them.
D’Esposito faced criticism for allegedly hiring close contacts, including his daughter, to work in his district office using taxpayer funds. He vehemently denied the allegations, stating that his hiring practices were ethical and above board.
Gillen refuted claims that she awarded a $1.5 billion contract to a donor for renovating Nassau Coliseum, labeling it as a baseless attack. She clarified that the contract was awarded by the GOP-controlled Nassau County Legislature.
Anti-Semitism
One area of agreement between D’Esposito and Gillen during the debate was combating anti-Semitism, particularly in the wake of a recent terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel. They both emphasized the importance of addressing anti-Semitic incidents.
D’Esposito highlighted his efforts to combat anti-Semitism by serving on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council and working with a bipartisan group involving members of Congress and Israel’s Knesset. He also mentioned allocating funds to educate law enforcement on anti-Semitism.
Gillen advocated for pressuring university presidents to address anti-Semitism and allocating more resources to investigate schools’ handling of the issue. She also emphasized the need to confront violent rhetoric on social media.
Abortion
On the topic of abortion, D’Esposito emphasized his opposition to federal abortion bans and his support for bills protecting access to IVF. Gillen shared her personal experience with abortion and stressed the importance of ensuring reproductive freedom as a human right.
D’Esposito clarified his stance on legislation criminalizing doctors who fail to save the life of a newborn, emphasizing the importance of protecting life in such cases.
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