Kathleen Rice returns to represent 4th Congressional District

With Democrats picking up 30 seats in the House of Representatives with 10 key races still undecided as of press time, Democratic incumbent U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice did her part by defeating Republican challenger Ameer Benno to secure her third term representing New York’s 4th Congressional District. Rice took home 61 percent (149,078 votes) of the electorate versus the 39 percent (95,187) Benno garnered at the ballot box. In thanking supporters and Nassau County Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs at the Democratic Election headquarters at the Garden City Hotel, she made it clear that teamwork from fellow local Democrats helped return her to Washington DC.

“I want to thank all the incredible candidates who were here and working with us tonight. Everyone from John Brooks to Liuba [Grechen Shirley]. Anna Kaplan. Todd Kaminsky. We all worked together and pooled all our resources and got everyone out to vote,” she said.
Rice went on to highlight what her party is being tasked with now that a power shift has occurred in the House.

“These are incredibly difficult times right now. We have a lot to be proud of,” Rice said. “There is so much divisive language right now in this country and most of it is coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. If we are lucky enough to take the House back, we’re going to be able to put a check on this administration and this president. We are going to be able to protect people that have pre-existing conditions. We are going to be able to undo all the terrible things that this tax bill did to us here on Long Island and in New York State. We’re going to be able to protect our environment and our LGBTQ community. We’ll be able to protect a woman’s right to choose. We’re so fortunate to have the activism that we do here in New York State to stand for such a progressive agenda.”

Rice will be returning to the nation’s capitol as ranking member of the homeland security subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence. In speaking with Garden City Life after finishing up her thank you speech, she was clear about her agenda going back to Washington.
“I’m looking forward to working on strengthening DACA, making sure people with pre-existing conditions are taken care of and working on some common sense gun control laws in a bipartisan manner. And that’s just for beginners,” she said.
Given how dysfunctional the current political climate is, the Garden City native knows there is a small window of time to get things done before the campaign season for the presidential election goes full bore.
“Democrats and Republicans need to work together to try and get something done before the presidential silly season kicks in and takes the stage for the next 18 to 20 months,” she said.

The 4th Congressional District includes Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Bellmore, Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, East Rockaway, East Meadow, Elmont, the Five Towns, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Freeport, Garden City, Hempstead, Island Park, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Malverne, Merrick, Mineola, Carle Place, New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Stewart Manor, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, West Hempstead and Westbury.