NEW YORK – Today, New York State Assembly Members Marjorie Byrnes, Andy Goodell, Brian Miller and Mary Beth Walsh endorsed Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), who has been named the presumptive nominee by both the Republican and Conservative Parties, for Governor of New York.
Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes said, “In New York, our infrastructure, economy and freedoms are crumbling under one-party rule. Rather than attending to the needs of everyday New Yorkers, the governor has been too preoccupied appeasing her radical base. Lee Zeldin is a man of character who is dedicated to solving the many challenges currently facing New Yorkers due to Andrew Cuomo and now his Lieutenant.”
Assemblyman Andy Goodell said, “The Democrats in Albany are focused on implementing a far-left agenda that will hurt middle class New Yorkers, including eliminating bail for hundreds of crimes, releasing hundreds of inmates from prison, destroying small landlords in the housing market, imposing billions of dollars in new taxes and fees, driving out employers and small businesses, and imposing onerous mandates one-after-another. Rather than helping law abiding taxpaying New Yorkers, the Democrats are helping criminals, taking-away guns, and giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses and $2.3 Billion in cash. After years of scandal and corruption, it is time for a new government in Albany. I am proud to support the common sense approach of Lee Zeldin that focuses on helping all New Yorkers achieve a better future with high quality education, more jobs, safer communities, and lower taxes. Lee Zeldin has my strong and unequivocal endorsement for New York State governor.”
Assemblyman Brian Miller said, “The Democrats in charge of Albany have chosen to ignore the needs of upstate New York, while devoting all of their time and attention to the needs of New York City and its radical liberal policies. We need to reverse course immediately. There are vital projects that are critical to New Yorkers, like accessible broadband coverage, that get left in the dark by our city-centric Democratic state government. Lee Zeldin will fight to restore geographic balance to Albany so that the needs of all New Yorkers, regardless of where they live, have a voice.”
Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh said, “Quality of life for New Yorkers is diminishing rapidly under one-party control in Albany. Small businesses are struggling to stay open, law enforcement is struggling to fight crime, and families are struggling to survive New York’s rising cost of living. Enough is enough. We need change in New York, and we need it fast. I’m endorsing Lee Zeldin for Governor because he recognizes these problems for what they are, and has simple, common-sense solutions to fix the mess Albany has created.”
Assembly Members Jake Ashby, Karl Brabenec, Joe DeStefano, David DiPietro, Jeff Gallahan, Jarrett Gandolfo, Jodi Giglio, Colin Schmitt, Doug Smith, Chris Tague, Joe Angelino, Keith Brown, Michael Fitzpatrick, Steve Hawley, Josh Jensen, John Lemondes, Michael Reilly, Matt Simpson, Robert Smullen and Mark Walcyzk have previously endorsed Congressman Lee Zeldin for Governor.
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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.