Former Long Island Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, recently confirmed as President Trump’s inspector general at the Department of Labor, is all but certain to make a comeback to reclaim his old House seat, The Post has learned.
Multiple sources in New York and DC said it’s close to a done deal that D’Esposito will be the Republican nominee for the 4th Congressional District taking in the south and eastern portions of Nassau County.
“D’Esposito is the odds-on favorite to get the nomination,” a Republican source said.
D’Esposito would take on first-term Democratic Rep. Laura Gillen, in what would be the rubber match between the two candidates.
He defeated Gillen, the former Hempstead supervisor, in a tight 52% to 48% vote in 2022.
Gillen — who has sought to distance herself from New York City Democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani — won the rematch with 51% of the vote in 2024 in another close and hard-fought contest.
Her victory flipped the swing district from rom red back to blue, and the well-regarded Cook Political Report rates the seat a toss-up.
Nassau County Republican Party Chair Joseph Cairo is a big fan of D’Esposito.
“As the Nassau County Republican Committee considers candidates for New York’s 4th Congressional District in 2026, we hold former Congressman Anthony D’Esposito in the highest regard,” Cairo said in a statement to The Post.
“Anthony was an outstanding representative for Long Island, focused on affordability, public safety, and tax relief,” Cairo said. “A former NYPD officer, he dedicated his career to keeping families safe, and at both the local and federal levels he consistently fought to lower taxes and rein in government overreach.”
He cited Esposito’s current work rooting out waste and fraud at the Labor Department, adding, “We are grateful for his service and his continued commitment to Long Island and our nation.”
Other GOP sources monitoring the race have already penciled in D’Esposito as the candidate, believing he has the best shot to win back the seat.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor at the top of the ticket, is expected to carry the district against Democratic incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, potentially providing coattails to D’Esposito, GOP insiders claimed.
GOP sources also said Gillen has taken some “nay” votes on budget bills that could be used against her, including one that expanded the federal deduction on state and local taxes — a huge issue with Long Island homeowners.
But D’Esposito is not without baggage.
A bombshell 2024 report that he gave alleged mistress Devin Faas a $2,000-a-month job in his district office became a damaging campaign issue during the last race.
D’Esposito didn’t deny the affair occurred, but maintained he didn’t violate House ethics rules by employing Fass.
The scandal was raised by Democrats during his Senate confirmation hearing last month, but did not scuttle his nomination
D’Esposito declined to comment.
He would likely have to give up his federal job if he runs for Congress. The Hatch Act, with few exceptions, restricts government workers from engaging in political activity.
Communities within the district include Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Bellmore, East Meadow, Elmont, Freeport, Garden City, Hempstead, Long Beach, Lynbrook, Merrick, Mineola, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Roosevelt, Seaford, Uniondale, Valley Stream, Wantagh, and West Hempstead.
Meanwhile, The Post reported Wednesday that ex-Rep. Marc Molinaro — Trump’s head of the Federal Transit Administration — is openly exploring a run for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s soon-to-be vacated House seat in upstate New York.
The former Dutchess County executive and ex-congressman represented New York’s 19th Congressional District before getting toppled by Democratic Rep. Josh Riley in 2024.
