North Hempstead Supervisor Race Settled With Narrow Margin
Jennifer DeSena secures a fourth term with a 2,001-vote lead over Sean Michael McCarthy, pledging to maintain fiscal discipline and infrastructure spending.
By Riya Zhao ·
Voters in North Hempstead elected Jennifer DeSena to a fourth term as town supervisor, ending a competitive contest against Democratic challenger Sean Michael McCarthy. The Nassau County Board of Elections reported that DeSena accumulated 42,676 votes, representing 51.17% of the total. McCarthy received 40,675 votes, or 48.77%, leaving the final margin at 2,001 votes. DeSena’s total included 39,910 votes cast on the Republican line and 2,766 on the Conservative line.
The election result extends DeSena’s tenure in the role she first assumed in 2021. Her administration has focused on reducing the town’s tax burden, securing grants for infrastructure and sustainability, and restructuring the building department. She also established the Substance Misuse Advisory Council during her time in office. DeSena has previously opposed state legislative moves designed to override local zoning controls.
DeSena told supporters at the Nassau County Republican Committee’s election night event in East Meadow that she intends to keep a close watch on municipal finances. She stated, “My goal is to continue what I have started, which is keeping a sharp eye on the bottom line on every dollar we spend, improving services, including in our building department, and investing in infrastructure, including our roads and our parks.”
Her opponent, Sean Michael McCarthy, did not concede the race. McCarthy, a former Port Washington Police District commissioner, ran on a platform centered on public safety and government accountability. He spent 33 years in law enforcement before retiring from the Nassau County Police Department in 2018. His campaign emphasized infrastructure upgrades and expanded services for senior residents. He also serves on the board of the North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center and previously led the Viking Sports Foundation.
McCarthy expressed optimism at the Democratic watch party in New Hyde Park, noting that he felt hopeful about the outcome. He said, “I feel really hopeful that I’m going to get the opportunity from the people in the town of North Hempstead to be able to serve them as their supervisor.”
DeSena’s background includes work as an enforcement attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission and leadership of the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse. The town supervisor’s office will now proceed with the next legislative session, where DeSena plans to address budgetary and service-related priorities.
The final certification of the election results follows the standard review process by the Nassau County Board of Elections. Both candidates’ teams are preparing for the transition period, with DeSena’s staff moving to implement the stated goals for the upcoming term.
