As the November election approaches, Long Island Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti is gearing up for her re-election campaign in the 16th district. In an interview, she emphasized that in today’s increasingly complex political climate, she will rely on her strong voter base and longstanding commitment to public issues to secure votes.

Sillitti was first elected to the state assembly in 2020 and brings two decades of public service experience to the table. She has served on the Nassau County Legislature and the North Hempstead Town Board, where she championed infrastructure projects and advocated for funding to support local fire departments and schools, while also promoting cultural diversity in her district.

Representing the 16th assembly district on the North Shore of Long Island, Sillitti’s constituents include areas like Port Washington, Great Neck, Manhasset, and Roslyn, which are known for their excellent schools and well-developed community services. Recently, these areas have seen a significant influx of Asian and Chinese residents.

Reflecting on her past four years in office, Sillitti highlighted her key achievements. She secured $125,000 in funding for school facility improvements in Port Washington and Great Neck, along with millions in grants for local police and fire departments to access advanced technology and equipment. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in projects such as the Port Washington waterfront reinforcement and the Manhasset sewer line project, which received $8 million and $5 million in funding, respectively, boosting local economic development and environmental protection.

As she looks ahead to the upcoming election, Sillitti feels optimistic about her prospects for victory. She recalled the 2022 elections when the Republican Party flipped four congressional districts on Long Island, achieving a historic complete sweep from the first to the fourth district, which significantly strengthened their political foothold in the area and impacted the overall balance of power in Congress. However, Sillitti’s successful re-election amidst this conservative trend stood out.

She attributes her success to her early public service experience, stressing that delivering tangible results for voters and providing them with real benefits—whether through funding support or other resources—is crucial to building voter trust. “When my Democratic colleagues faced defeats, voters still believed I could deliver concrete outcomes for them, and that’s why I was able to win,” she explained.

Addressing the challenges posed by the current election landscape, Sillitti noted that the Republican campaign strategies may attract some voters, particularly those who employ fear tactics to create unease. Nevertheless, she remains focused on addressing real issues and representing the broader Asian community’s interests. “Focusing on substantive issues and genuinely bringing change for voters is key to garnering support,” she concluded.