Gina Sillitti (born April 5, 1978) is an American Democratic Party politician who represents New York State Assembly district 16,[2] which includes Port Washington, Manhasset, Great Neck, North Hills, East Hills, Flower Hill, Old Westbury, Roslyn Estates, Roslyn Heights, Herricks and Lake Success of Nassau County on Long Island.[3]
Gina Sillitti | |
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Member of the New York State Assembly from the 16th district | |
Assumed office January 6, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Anthony D'Urso[1] |
Personal details | |
Born | Long Island[2] | April 5, 1978
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Manorhaven, New York[2] |
Education | University of Georgia (BA) |
Signature | |
Website | Campaign website Official website |
Sillitti grew up in Mount Sinai, New York and Florida.[4] She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Georgia in 2000.[3] She moved to Manorhaven in 2012. She is married to Kevin Clemency.[4]
Before running for office, she spent nearly two decades in public service, starting at the Nassau County Legislature.[2][5]
Sillitti began her political career working in the office of Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias. She then worked in the Department of Community Services for the Town of North Hempstead,[4] being appointed as deputy commissioner in 2010.[4] She later worked as director of legislator affairs and deputy chief of staff for Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman.[4]
From 2015 to 2020, Sillitti was the human resources director for the Nassau County Board of Elections.[4]
Sillitti was nominated at the Nassau County Democratic Committee Convention on February 11, 2020, after Assemblyman Anthony D'Urso announced he would be retiring.[4]
Sillitti ran on a platform to increase state funding for local schools and roads, reducing property taxes, and protecting Long Island Sound and drinking water.[4] She also advocated for stimulus relief from the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized she would be accessible to her constituents.[3]
In late February 2021, after the Andrew Cuomo sexual harassment allegations became public, Sillitti was among a group of assemblywomen who issued a statement calling for an independent investigator to be appointed by Attorney General Letitia James.[6] She later pushed back against calls for his immediate resignation, being among 23 Democratic assemblywomen to say the attorney general's investigation should be completed first, in a split among New York Democrats.[7]