Social media influencer Emily Austin appointed to Nassau County Bridge Authority board

Social media influencer and television personality Emily Austin is the newest member to join the Nassau County Bridge Authority Board of Commissioners. 

The 19-member County Legislature approved Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman's appointment of Austin earlier this week. The volunteer position holds a five-year term and is unpaid. Republicans hold a 12-7 majority on the Nassau legislature. 

Austin, 23, of Hewlett Harbor, is a reporter who covers boxing and tennis for DAZN, a London-based streaming sports and entertainment platform. She will join four other commissioners on the board for monthly meetings. Their backgrounds include an investment manager, attorney and educator. 

"I think I show up for my community often, wholeheartedly," Austin said. "When County Executive Blakeman explained to me the opportunity and the importance of the bridge commissioners to Nassau County, I thought it was where I could be of use to my community." 

A public-benefit corporation, the bridge authority is responsible for collecting tolls and maintaining the Atlantic Beach Bridge, which connects Lawrence to Atlantic Beach. The board is tasked with approving the finances and other major decisions of the bridge authority.

"When I heard of the opportunity, I realized I could be of use here, and I can successfully do this job," Austin told legislators before they unanimously confirmed her appointment.

Austin launched and hosted her own podcast called “The Hoop Chat," has served as a judge on the Miss Universe pageant and owns a skincare company called “People’s Beauty,” according to the résumé she submitted to the legislature.

She has appeared on Fox News, including the Greg Gutfeld talk show. She says she is a pro-Israel Zionist who has 2.4 million followers on Instagram, 500,000 on TikTok and 70,000 on X. She has also been at several Nassau GOP events and press conferences over the last year.

“Emily Austin is deeply committed to Nassau County and has demonstrated through her advocacy, especially on social media that she is a serious and professional individual who will contribute greatly to the continued success of the Nassau County Bridge Authority,” Blakeman said in an emailed statement. 

In a Newsday telephone interview on Friday, Austin said she is "trying to become an expert" on the Atlantic Beach Bridge and has been learning about its history.

Austin, who interned at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations, said the appointment could lead her to one day run for public office. 

"I know one day my future consists of a political one," Austin said. 

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.