PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK – Today, New York State Senators Joseph Griffo, Fred Akshar and Dan Stec endorsed Congressman Lee Zeldin for Governor of New York.
Senator Joseph Griffo said, “New York taxes are too high, small businesses are closing, crime is on the rise and working class New Yorkers can’t afford to live in their homes and are fleeing the state in an unparalleled exodus from New York. Cuomo has got to go. Having had the opportunity to serve with Lee Zeldin in the New York State Senate, I’ve seen firsthand his incomparable integrity, ability to deliver results for those he represents, and his passion for making a positive difference for and in the lives of all New Yorkers. I am proud to endorse Congressman Lee Zeldin for governor, because I know he has what it takes to win in 2022 and save our state.”
Senator Fred Akshar said, “Under Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature led by NYC Democrats, New York has been turned upside down. Crime and taxes are on the rise, while opportunities and quality of life are plummeting. This is unsustainable. If we want New York to thrive, we need a Governor with common sense policies and the leadership to get the job done. Lee Zeldin has shown time and time again that he can and will put partisan politics aside to work with anyone in order to do what is best for the people he represents, and that is exactly what he will do as Governor of New York.”
Senator Dan Stec said, “Andrew Cuomo is leading our state down the wrong path, confirming our worst fears with each far-left and out-of-touch policy that we see come out of Albany. With the reckless ‘reforms’ and rhetoric that undermine our police, raising taxes to record levels and exploiting the pandemic for personal financial gain, it is clear that Cuomo is out for himself politically and personally. We need real change in Albany that actually helps taxpayers. Lee Zeldin is the leader we need to make it happen. Lee knows what it will take to grow our economy, to clean up our streets and to make New York a much better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
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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.