Candidate Name: Olena Nicks
Office Running For: Nassau County Legislator, District 5
Party: Democrat
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
When in office, what will you do to reduce harm and ensure there is social and economic equity for Black Long Islanders? If you are an incumbent, what policies/initiatives/laws have you supported that do this?
While I have a short tenure on the Legislature, my focus to improving economic equity for Black Long Islanders has remained consistent. Advancing equity through action and not just words. I will work to keep our Black-owned small businesses open and thriving by connecting entrepreneurs to funding opportunities, county resources, and technical assistance programs.
I will fight to protect and expand access to affordable housing and homeownership —partnering with community land trusts and local organizations to build pathways to generational wealth for Black families. In addition to ensuring that the county's budget maintains funding for vital social services like mental health, youth development, and re-entry programs.
Finally, I’ve been vocal in pushing to fix the broken property tax assessment system. The frozen assessment rolls disproportionately harm Black and brown homeowners, locking in inequities that drive up costs and devalue communities.