By Hank Russell
Nassau Democrats celebrated as their candidate for Nassau County Legislature, Olena Nicks, won the seat left vacant by Siela Bynoe, who ran for — and won — a seat for New York State Senate. Nicks defeated her Republican challenger, Karin B. Campbell, by a margin of 1,974 to 294, according to the Nassau County Board of Elections results.
According to her campaign website, Nicks graduated from Uniondale High School. During her time at the school, she worked as a teen advocate for Planned Parenthood, educating fellow teenagers on how to prevent and reduce teen pregnancy and STD rates. She later joined the Uniondale Fire Department, becoming the first woman Captain of Manor Company 3. She also served as president of the Uniondale Public Library and assisted many other community civics in her spare time.
Outside of her public service, Wicks has financial analytic experience in both the public and private sectors – managing budgets of over $70 million, according to her biography. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in business operations from CUNY Baruch and an MBA from American University.
Campbell, according to her biography provided by Newsday, was president and trustee of the Westbury School District. She served as a house manager of residential group homes and other facilities, and taught career and technical programs at Nassau BOCES. During the coronavirus pandemic, Campbell worked with homeless veterans and helped to find them temporary housing and secure PPE supplies.
Republicans now hold a 12-7 edge in the Legislature.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to both the Nassau Democratic and Republican Committees for comment, but did not respond as of press time.