Olena's understanding of the working-class needs comes from her humble upbringing. Olena was raised in a blue-collar family in Uniondale. At an early age, Olena jumped into the workforce to assist her household make ends meet.

Meet Olena

Outside of her public service, Olena has financial analytic experience in both the public and private sectors - managing budgets of over $70 million. ​Olena attended undergrad at CUNY Baruch, receiving her bachelor's degree in business operations and an MBA from American University.

Olena Nicks was raised in a blue-collar family in Uniondale. She earned a bachelor's degree in business operations from CUNY Baruch and an MBA from American University.

Olena's understanding of the working-class needs comes from her humble upbringing. Olena was raised in a blue-collar family in Uniondale. At an early age, Olena jumped into the workforce to assist her household make ends meet. Like many other families throughout Nassau County, Olena works two jobs and owns a small business.

Later, at age 18, I joined the Uniondale Fire Department. Over the past 14 years, I became the first woman to serve as captain of Manor Company 3, and went through the ranks again to serve as second lieutenant. As first responders, we often meet the people we serve on their worst days, and those heart-wrenching experiences gave me a level of compassion and empathy for the hardships that my neighbors are navigating.

Olena Nicks: 2nd Legislative District, Uniondale

Olena Nicks works two jobs and owns a small business. She has financial analysis experience in the public and private sectors and has served as captain of Manor Company 3 and as second lieutenant in the Uniondale Fire Department.

Olena Nicks: My journey to the Nassau County Legislature

Legislator Nicks began her service on Feb. 25, 2025, when she won a special election in the former Legislative District 2.

News Flash - Nassau County, NY

(UNIONDALE, N.Y.) – Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks (D – Uniondale) took the oath of office at Uniondale’s Cradle of Aviation Museum on Thursday, Jan. 8 for her first full term representing the communities of Legislative District 5, which encompasses the communities of Uniondale, West Hempstead, Hempstead Village and Franklin Square.

As is often said, the things that are worth doing are seldom easy — and that’s certainly true in my case. I first threw my hat into the ring for public office in 2021, when I ran for Hempstead town clerk. In 2023 I ran for town supervisor. I didn’t prevail in those races, but I also didn’t see them as losses, because the experiences encouraged me to continue the advocacy work that I was doing in the community.

Olena currently serves as a Nassau County Legislator representing Legislative District 5. She first won election to the Legislature in a February 2025 special election for the former Legislative District 2 and is serving her first full term. Olena previously ran for Hempstead town clerk in 2021 and town supervisor in 2023 but did not win either race.

2026 New York General Election

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.

Olena Nicks — Black Voters of Long Island

Plans to connect Black-owned small businesses with funding opportunities, county resources, and technical assistance programs.

- Plans to connect Black-owned small businesses with funding opportunities, county resources, and technical assistance programs.

Economy

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.

(WESTBURY, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks (D – Uniondale) secured committee approval for a $162,150 Community Revitalization Project (CRP) grant for the Westbury Water and Fire District to assist in the construction of a memorial honoring fire department members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the community.

District 5 - Olena Nicks

(WESTBURY, N.Y.)– Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks (D – Uniondale) thanked her Rules committee colleagues for voting unanimously on Monday, Sept. 8 to advance a $10,000 Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund grant for Westbury Arts.

The funds will be applied toward staging regularly scheduled art exhibits; administering their summer concert series; presenting a showcase of award-winning films; hosting cultural celebrations; and more.

Plans to maintain county budget funding for mental-health, youth-development, and re-entry programs.

Secured committee approval for a $162,150 grant to help build a memorial for fallen Westbury Water and Fire District members.

Advanced a $10,000 grant for Westbury Arts programming, including exhibits, concerts, films, and cultural celebrations.

- Plans to maintain county budget funding for mental-health, youth-development, and re-entry programs.
- Secured committee approval for a $162,150 grant to help build a memorial for fallen Westbury Water and Fire District members.
- Advanced a $10,000 grant for Westbury Arts programming, including exhibits, concerts, films, and cultural celebrations.

Public Services

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.

Plans to expand affordable housing and homeownership by partnering with community land trusts and local organizations.

Calls for reform of Nassau County's property-tax assessment system.

- Plans to expand affordable housing and homeownership by partnering with community land trusts and local organizations.
- Calls for reform of Nassau County's property-tax assessment system.

Housing & Urban Development

Residents in Nassau County may soon be able to dial 311 in Nassau County for non-emergency concerns in the community.
311 would cover issues like reporting a pothole, seeking sanitation assistance or help with navigating county services.
Nassau legislators say data shows 50% of calls that county 911 operators receive are for non-emergencies.
Legislator Olena Nicks says a 311 system will ease the burden on 911 operators, and give Nassau residents a direct line to their government.
"This legislation is about protecting our emergency responders, strengthening our workforce, modernizing county government, and improving how residents interact with local services," she said.
Lawmakers say you would be able to dial 311, go on a website, or download a 311 app on your smartphone to report a concern in your community.

311 non-emergency call system proposed for Nassau County

I became a Legislator at a time when there is an inexplicable impasse over the delivery of more than $1 million in grant funds for first responders in Minority Caucus districts.

As a first responder myself, I know that having proper equipment can make the difference between life and death – and we cannot delay the delivery of these resources for one moment longer.

News Flash • Nassau County, NY • CivicEngage

As I work to restore equity and proper balance to the operations of local government, I want to be a bridge between law enforcement agencies and the residents of majority-minority communities – several of which are found within Legislative District 2.

Nassau County is home to one of America’s best-trained police departments, and I know that, through communication and camaraderie, we can dispel common misnomers and strengthen the relationships that are at the core of respectful and responsive community-focused policing.

Supports proposed 311 non-emergency service legislation to reduce 911 call volume and connect residents with county services.

Calls for immediate delivery of more than $1 million in grant funding for first responders in Minority Caucus districts.

Wants to strengthen communication and relationships between law-enforcement agencies and residents of majority-minority communities.

- Supports proposed 311 non-emergency service legislation to reduce 911 call volume and connect residents with county services.
- Calls for immediate delivery of more than $1 million in grant funding for first responders in Minority Caucus districts.
- Wants to strengthen communication and relationships between law-enforcement agencies and residents of majority-minority communities.

Public Safety

As of October 26, 2026, Olena Nicks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Olena Nicks

- Calls for immediate delivery of more than $1 million in grant funding for first responders in Minority Caucus districts.
- Wants to strengthen communication and relationships between law-enforcement agencies and residents of majority-minority communities.