PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK – Today, the Suffolk County State Senate GOP Delegation, consisting of Senators Mario Mattera, Alexis Weik, Anthony Palumbo and Phil Boyle, endorsed Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) for Governor of New York.
New York State Senator Mario Mattera said, “As a labor leader for over two decades, I know personally how hard Lee Zeldin has fought to protect the hardworking men and women of labor. Now, as an elected official, I see firsthand how Lee’s integrity, demeanor and genuine honesty are needed to protect the future of every single New Yorker. A family man who is devoted to his community and his nation, Lee is the right person at the right time and he will lead our state to a brighter future that will benefit every single one of us. I am proud to call him my friend and to wholeheartedly endorse Lee Zeldin to be the next governor of New York State.”
New York State Senator Alexis Weik said, “The State of New York is at the brink. We’ve witnessed the Democrats controlling Albany drive the communities we love into the ground, and this is our last chance to turn things around. We need a Governor who is not only going to talk the talk, but walk the walk and deliver for New Yorkers in every corner of our state. Having seen first hand his commitment and dedication to those he serves, we need Lee Zeldin as our next governor. I have no doubt that he will deliver for all New Yorkers the way he has for our local communities.”
New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo said, “I’ve had the privilege of fighting for Long Island alongside Lee Zeldin for years and his doggedness in serving his constituents is unparalleled. Lee’s life of service, whether in the Army, the State Senate or now in Congress, is hallmarked by integrity and passion. There is no better person to fight for everyday New Yorkers in Albany as their Governor than Lee Zeldin.”
New York State Senator Phil Boyle said, “I’ve witnessed firsthand the dysfunction that has plagued Albany and seen how Democrats’ radical policies – undermining our police, hiking taxes, and more – have left the communities we love a shell of their prior glory. We cannot survive another term of Andrew Cuomo, and his tenure of incompetence must come to an end. Lee Zeldin will save our state, restore it to glory, and fight tirelessly for everyday New Yorkers, which is why I’m proud to give him my full support.”
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About Lee Zeldin
Lee Zeldin was born and raised on Long Island. He grew up in Suffolk County and graduated from William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, where his identical twin daughters attend school today. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany and then his law degree from Albany Law School, becoming New York’s youngest attorney at the time at the age of 23.
Lee spent four years on Active Duty with the U.S. Army after completing ROTC and served in different capacities, including as a Military Intelligence Officer, Prosecutor, and Military Magistrate. In the summer of 2006, while assigned to the Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division, Lee deployed to Iraq with an infantry battalion of fellow paratroopers in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2007, Lee returned to Suffolk County with his family. It was at this time that Lee transitioned from Active Duty to the Army Reserve, where he currently serves with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 2008, Lee established a successful law practice in Smithtown, NY. Elected to the New York State Senate two years later, in 2010, Lee’s been working hard every day since to keep the promises he made to the hard-working families he represents.
In the State Senate, Lee successfully fought to repeal the MTA Payroll Tax for 80 percent of employers, a job killing tax that was hurting small businesses. Lee led the successful efforts to repeal the Saltwater Fishing License Fee and create the PFC Joseph Dwyer Program, a statewide program in New York to help our returning veterans cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Lee also wrote the law that protects our fallen veterans and their families from protests at military burials.
Lee was then elected to the United States Congress in 2014, representing New York’s First Congressional District, and quickly became a leading voice in America on top local, domestic and foreign policy issues.
Lee has secured many key victories for Long Island, which have included among many other successes:
Saving Plum Island, by securing the repeal of a 2008 federal law requiring the island to be sold off to the highest bidder. He also secured funding to repair the historic Plum Island Lighthouse and funding necessary to remediate environmental concerns on the island.
- Delivering a $2 billion Electron Ion Collider project to Brookhaven National Lab.
- Securing $8.3 billion in much needed funding to support treatment, enforcement, and prevention for those affected by the heroin and opioid abuse crisis.
- Working with the Army Corps of Engineers to protect our coastlines, advancing the ambitious $1.5 billion Fire Island to Montauk Point project, in addition to several other vital projects on the north and south shores of Long Island.
- Co-Chairing the Long Island Sound Caucus and delivering vast quantities of funding for the Long Island Sound Program, National Estuary Program and SeaGrant.
- Introducing and passing into law his Adult Day Health Care legislation for disabled veterans and opening a new health care clinic for East End veterans.
- Co-authoring a bipartisan resolution (H.Res. 246) that passed the House opposing the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement.
- Successfully resolving over 17,000 constituent cases in favor of NY-1 residents.