Exclusive | Long Island village used government accounts to push event that was a rally for Democrats in disguise: Voters deserve better

A Long Island village government promoted a voter event that turned out to be a rally to help elect a Democratic candidate in a congressional swing district, The Post has learned.The village of Hempstead blasted out social media promos for “get out the vote” rally at Kennedy Memorial Park on Oct.17 boosting Democratic hopeful Laura Gillen — and featuring Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The event was no civic, nonpartisan registration drive but a rally for the Democratic ticket, video shows — complete with a “New York State Democrats” banner that was displayed as some supporters carried signs for Gillen, who is trying to unseat first-term Republican Rep.Anthony D’Esposito.Democratic Mayor Waylyn Hobbs and the village used Hempstead’s government site, Facebook and Instagram accounts to promote the partisan rally, using a photo of Jeffries in the flyer for the event.“Are  you ready to elect Democrats up and down the ballot!” Jeffries said at the start of a 20-minute speech.

“Are you ready to elect Laura Gillen to Congress! Are you ready to help us take control of the House of Representatives!”A state Board of Elections insider said the use of government resources “ought to be investigated for sure.“It’s a get out the vote rally for one political party?” the insider said.Long Island Republicans sought to blame the Gillen campaign for the alleged abuse of taxpayer resources for what was decidedly a pro-Democrat event.“It was wrong of Laura Gillen to try and trick the public by misusing a taxpayer-funded government building for her campaign,” said Nassau County Republican Party chairman Joseph Cairo.“It is unworthy of a candidate for Congress to deceptively promote an event as a voter registration drive and then hold a campaign rally, replete with Gillen campaign rally posters.“She apparently even fooled Village officials, who advertised the event as a voter registration drive on official government social media pag...