{{Short description|American attorney and politician (born 1969)}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Jennifer S. DeSena | image = Jennifer DeSena in a meeting with Tom Suozzi (June 2024).jpg | caption = DeSena in 2024 | office = 38th Town Supervisor of North Hempstead, New York | term_start = January 1, 2022 | term_end = | predecessor = Judi Bosworth | successor = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1969|3|12}} | birth_place = The Bronx, New York, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = | term = | children = 2 | spouse = Ralph DeSena | education = {{plainlist| * Massapequa High School * Boston College * St. John's University School of Law (JD) }} }}
'''Jennifer DeSena''' (born March 12, 1969) is an American attorney and politician serving as the 38th Town Supervisor of North Hempstead, in Nassau County, New York, in the United States.
== Early life and education == DeSena was born on March 12, 1969,{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} in the New York City borough of the Bronx.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Frank |date=2021-12-01 |title=Ready to Lead: DeSena Talks About Her Win |url=https://issuu.com/antoncommunitynewspapers7/docs/12-1-21_portwashingtonnews |access-date=2024-04-13 |via=Issuu |work=Port Washington News|publisher=Anton Media Group |pages=3, 6 |volume=117 |number=8 |language=en}}</ref> She moved to Massapequa, New York when she was two, and was raised there for the rest of her childhood, eventually graduating from Massapequa High School.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=Max |date=2017-01-12 |title=New CASA director brings personal touch - Manhasset Times |url=https://theisland360.com/manhasset-107/new-casa-director-brings-personal-touch/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Island 360 |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> She attended Boston College, where she earned her bachelor's degree, majoring in economics and English.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /> She then attended the St. John's University School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor degree.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Town of North Hempstead - Jennifer DeSena |url=https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/content/16253/35121/35125.aspx |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=northhempsteadny.gov}}</ref> She then began practicing litigation law, before serving as a Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement attorney in Manhattan.<ref name=":1" />
== Political career == DeSena began her political career in 2021, when she ran for Town Supervisor upon the retirement of then-incumbent Judi Bosworth (D–Great Neck).<ref name=":2" /> DeSena won the election over her opponent, then-Town Clerk Wayne H. Wink Jr. (D–Roslyn).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Brandon |date=2021-10-06 |title=Jennifer DeSena believes she's a coalition builder, and the right one for North Hempstead supervisor - The Island Now ROP |url=https://islandnow.net/jennifer-desena-believes-shes-a-coalition-builder-and-the-right-one-for-north-hempstead-supervisor/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424070158/https://islandnow.net/jennifer-desena-believes-shes-a-coalition-builder-and-the-right-one-for-north-hempstead-supervisor/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Island Now |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=North Hempstead residents to get new town supervisor for first time in 8 years |url=http://longisland.news12.com/north-hempstead-residents-to-get-new-town-supervisor-for-first-time-in-8-years |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=News 12 - Long Island |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=GOP challenger wins tight race for North Hempstead supervisor |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/supervisor-concession-north-hempstead-s91853 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-02 |title=New York Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/11/02/us/elections/results-nyc-mayor.html |access-date=2024-04-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> DeSena, a registered Democrat, ran on the Republican and Conservative tickets, and her 2021 victory marked the first time in over three decades that a Republican-backed candidate won the position.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-27 |title=Battle for North Hempstead town supervisor heats up ahead of Election Day |url=http://connecticut.news12.com/battle-for-north-hempstead-town-supervisor-heats-up-ahead-of-election-day |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=News 12 - Connecticut |language=en}}</ref>
DeSena was re-elected to a second term in November 2023, defeating her Democrat-backed opponent, former Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, in a landslide victory.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Yanes |first=Darwin |date=2023-12-28 |title=With new GOP majority in North Hempstead, Jennifer DeSena expects more sway in 2nd term |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/jennifer-desena-north-hempstead-supervisor-tlksvlwt |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malaszczyk |first=Michael |date=2023-11-07 |title=Jennifer DeSena Declares Victory Over Jon Kaiman In North Hempstead; Clavin, Saladino Win Re-Election |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2023/11/07/nassau-town-supervisor-elections/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=longislandpress.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Campanile |first1=Carl |last2=Crane |first2=Emily |date=2023-11-08 |title=Long Island painted red as GOP win major election races, local councils |url=https://nypost.com/2023/11/08/metro/long-island-painted-red-as-gop-win-major-election-races-local-councils/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yanes |first=Darwin |date=2022-03-01 |title=DeSena readies for another first in North Hempstead |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/state-of-the-town-desena-north-hempstead-luncheon-f32935 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref>
As Town Supervisor, DeSena has advocated for ending partisan politics in North Hempstead, reforming and improving the Town's building department, installing sanitary sewers along Plandome Road's business district in Manhasset, and improving services and maintaining the quality of life for residents.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yanes |first=Darwin |date=2022-01-03 |title=New North Hempstead Supervisor DeSena promises to end partisan politics |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/north-hempstead-inauguration-jennifer-desena-g81001 |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Brandon |date=2023-10-03 |title=Jennifer DeSena touts tax cuts, commitment in re-election bid as town supervisor - Featured |url=https://theisland360.com/featured/jennifer-desena-talks-north-hempstead-issues-in-re-election-bid/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=The Island 360 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-06 |title=Jennifer DeSena: The Unconventional Political Journey |url=https://thepoliticswatcher.com/pages/articles/congress/2023/11/6/jennifer-desena-unconventional-political-journey |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=thepoliticswatcher.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Genn |first=Adina |date=2024-02-27 |title=Nassau comptroller releases audit of N. Hempstead building department |work=Long Island Business News |url=https://libn.com/2024/02/27/nassau-comptroller-releases-audit-of-n-hempstead-building-department/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> She has advocated against policies proposed by state lawmakers – including Governor Kathleen Hochul's attempts at overriding local control of zoning and cutting funds for schools, citing the unintended consequences from such policies, which would negatively impact the community and the environment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-29 |title=Nassau County leaders make final push against Gov. Kathy Hochul's housing plan |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nassau-county-leaders-against-governor-hochuls-housing-plan/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=CBS New York |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McLogan |first=Jennifer |date=2023-04-10 |title=Some Long Island residents say Hochul's housing plan will mean influx of new students |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/some-long-island-residents-say-hochuls-housing-plan-will-mean-influx-of-new-students/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=CBS New York |language=en-US}}</ref>
DeSena was also vocally against George Santos, following the news being made known of his scandals, and called for him to resign.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=DeChalus |first=Camila |date=2023-01-24 |title=In George Santos's district, voters feel a mix of regret and resignation |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/01/24/george-santos-district-constituents/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> Although she initially endorsed him in the election before his scandals were known, she became one of the first Republican politicians in the district to publicly denounce and condemn him after the allegations were confirmed;<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Caleb |date=2023-01-17 |title=Prompt Resignation/Removal Of George Santos From Congress Sought By GOP Official |url=https://bipartisanreport.com/2023/01/17/prompt-resignation-removal-of-george-santos-from-congress-sought-by-gop-official/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Bipartisan Report |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolger |first=Timothy |date=2023-01-23 |title=Groups That Endorsed George Santos Mostly Mum on Scandal |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2023/01/23/endorsed-george-santos-mum/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=longislandpress.com |language=en-US}}</ref> DeSena publicly rescinded her endorsement of him and expressed her anger, stating how she and many others were betrayed and deceived by Santos, and condemning him for his lies about being Jewish and exploiting the Holocaust.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last1=Vazquez |first1=Jennifer |last2=Berkowitz |first2=Benjamin |date=2023-01-11 |title='Not Welcomed Here': Nassau County GOP Leaders Call for George Santos to Resign |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/george-santos-disgraced-and-should-resign-from-congress-gop-leaders-say/4041345/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-04 |title=On the day George Santos was to be sworn in, voters say they feel betrayed |url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/politics/santos-congress-xsmbjojr |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Newsday |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Krawitz |first=Alan |date=2022-12-30 |title=Protestors Demand Santos Resign, Lawmakers Call for House Ethics Investigation |url=https://www.longislandpress.com/2022/12/30/protestors-santos-resign-lawmakers/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=longislandpress.com |language=en-US}}</ref> DeSena banned him from North Hempstead events and was one of several Republican leaders who were vocally against him serving in Congress.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":9" />
== Personal life == DeSena resides in the Strathmore section of Manhasset, New York, having moved there with her husband, Ralph, in 2000; her husband is also an attorney.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> She and her husband have two children.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Prior to being elected as Town Supervisor, DeSena had long been heavily involved in Manhasset's civic associations and with other local community organizations in the area.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> She also lead the Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse and was the President of the Women's Club of Strathmore, Manhasset's North Strathmore Civic Association.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" />
== See also ==
* May W. Newburger, a previous North Hempstead Town Supervisor * Norman Penny * Michael J. Tully Jr.
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.northhempsteadny.gov/content/16253/35121/35125.aspx Supervisor Jennifer S. DeSena – North Hempstead, New York]
{{DEFAULTSORT:DeSena, Jennifer}} Category:People from Manhasset, New York Category:People from Massapequa, New York Category:People from North Hempstead, New York Category:People from Oyster Bay, New York Category:Politicians from Nassau County, New York Category:Politicians from the Bronx Category:Lawyers from the Bronx Category:New York (state) lawyers Category:People from Long Island Category:Town of North Hempstead, New York Category:Massapequa High School alumni Category:Boston College alumni Category:St. John's University School of Law alumni Category:Women lawyers Category:Women in New York (state) politics Category:1969 births Category:Living people