Janine Driscoll’s Congressional Campaign

Janine Driscoll, a Republican aligned with Trump, is running to reclaim New York’s 4th Congressional District. She’s leveraging her background in Hempstead as a tax receiver, her extensive legal experience, and her deep-rooted connections in the Long Island community she wishes to represent in Washington.

In a conversation with Breitbart News, Driscoll aimed to present herself to voters as dedicated to “American values.” She emphasized rights such as “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” while advocating for reduced government interference.

As a mother of five, Driscoll feels a personal connection to issues of affordability. Having lived in Long Island for many years, she’s acutely aware of the steep housing costs. With two of her children likely to marry soon, she expressed concern over how they’ll manage to stay in the area they love.

“I’m very focused on that,” Driscoll remarked, stating her goal is to “put money back in the pockets” of local residents.

Public safety ranks as another crucial aspect of her campaign. Driscoll, whose son is in NYPD training, has always shown support for law enforcement, advocating for well-funded and respected police forces.

Driscoll is running in the wake of former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who recently vacated his seat for a position with the Labor Department. Describing D’Esposito as a “good friend,” she noted that her decision to run for Congress seemed like a “natural next step.”

“The main reason we’re doing this is because we don’t want the president and the Republican Party to lose the midterm elections,” she added.

On July 13, Trump backed Driscoll, acknowledging that as a taxpayer in what he considers America’s largest town, he understands the “America First” approach essential for economic growth, job creation, and a more favorable tax environment. He also criticized his Democratic opponent, Rep. Laura Guillen, for opposing measures related to tax reductions.

Driscoll has also garnered support from House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders. Expressing appreciation for Trump’s endorsement, she mentioned her loyal support for him since 2016, stating she has “never wavered.”

She referred to the House Republican team as exhibiting “very strong leadership” and expressed a desire to fully engage with their efforts.

Driscoll conveyed her readiness to serve the Congressional District, noting that the Town of Hempstead covers much of it. She spends considerable time in Long Beach as well, where she has built friendships.

“I know my constituents and their needs very well,” she said.

Having spent seven years assisting homeowners with tax exemptions and assessments, Driscoll has conducted numerous public seminars on these topics. “We need tax cuts,” she emphasized, while acknowledging that while Nassau County is a fantastic place to live, it’s costly.

She fully supports eliminating the SALT cap and highlights the importance of various tax exemptions. Driscoll suggested that Congress needs to look for sustainable funding for Social Security to benefit future generations.

“Without law and order, communities fall apart,” she asserted, reaffirming her commitment to bolster local law enforcement agencies.

“Police officers risk their lives for us daily,” she remarked, highlighting her duty as an elected official to advocate for them.

Driscoll recently won 91 percent of the Republican primary vote, attributing this success partly to her active community involvement and experience as a tax collector.

“I hate to say it, but I’m a tax collector,” she confessed, explaining how her name often appears on residents’ bills. She also received messages of appreciation from homeowners who’ve benefitted from tax exemptions.

Outside her professional duties, she actively participates in various community events, including those for fire departments and senior citizens.

Her initial victory surpassed expectations; she anticipated about 60 percent support but was “shocked” by her final results.

Driscoll pointed out that residents from different political backgrounds on Long Island face similar issues like high taxes and public safety needs.

“I am the voice of the people,” she stated. “I represent everyone.”

She’s interested in collaborative groups like the Problem Solvers Caucus, which evaluates proposals based on their real-world impact, rather than their partisan alignment.

Driscoll cautioned that while she believes socialism isn’t an imminent threat in New York, it has arrived, citing high costs and promises of “free” services as indicators.

She described NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s campaign as a “very good propaganda machine,” effectively targeting voters while criticizing low primary turnout.

Mamdani’s political statements during his campaign have drawn attention, with Driscoll arguing that Guillen is closely aligned with him and other figures representing Democratic socialism.

“She’s trying to assert she’s moderate, but there are no moderates left in the Democratic Party,” Driscoll argued. “Her voting record reflects that.”

Driscoll was critical of Guillen’s stance on issues impacting taxpayers, including funding gender reassignment through Medicaid. Additionally, she highlighted a recent vote against a bill addressing gender participation in sports, sharing her insights from raising a daughter who faced challenges in athletics compared to her brothers.

Despite these contentious topics, Driscoll expressed her desire to run a positive campaign focused on the issues at hand. “I would like to discuss this with her and offer ideas,” she said.

Driscoll graduated from Fordham Law School in 1992 and has extensive legal experience. Her background includes trial and appellate work along with mediation and dispute resolution.

She characterized herself as a “strict constructivist of the constitution,” emphasizing the importance of referring back to the constitution as fundamental in lawmaking.

If elected, Driscoll aims to establish a responsive office dedicated to addressing constituent inquiries and interactions. “That’s how I work in my office now,” she concluded, expressing a desire to continue that commitment in Congress.