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NORTH TONAWANDA, NY – On Saturday, October 23, 2021, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), who has been named the presumptive nominee for Governor of New York by both the New York Republican and Conservative Parties, joined State Senate Republican Leader and Army veteran Rob Ortt, New York Republican Party Chairman Nick Langworthy, Niagara County Republican Committee Chairman Richard Andres, Erie County Republican Committee Chairman and Air Force veteran Karl Simmeth, and local veterans for a Veterans for Zeldin event at American Legion Sikora Post 1322 in North Tonawanda, New York.
Senator Rob Ortt said, “In August, I was proud to endorse Lee Zeldin to be New York’s next Governor, and I am just as proud to stand beside him today. Like me, Lee volunteered to serve his country by joining the US Army. He is the battle-tested leader New York needs right now to restore public safety, cut taxes, and make government work for the forgotten men and women of our state. He is building a movement that will shock the Democrat political establishment in Albany on November 8, 2022.”
“Like so many New Yorkers, veterans across our state are fed up with the one-party rule that has continued the attacks on our freedoms, our wallets and our safety. They’re tired of Albany playing political games with the essential programs they have earned, like the Dwyer Program, and they’re ready to make a change that will restore New York to glory. I’m honored to have the support of so many veterans across this state, including Senate Republican Leader Ortt, who have bravely defended our nation and now are ready to Save Our State,” stated Congressman Lee Zeldin, candidate for New York State Governor.
Senator Ortt and Congressman Lee Zeldin rallied supporters at the American Legion Sikora Post 1322 to talk about veteran policies priorities in New York and nationally, and the need to support Republican candidates in upcoming New York elections.
“The disgraced Andrew Cuomo may no longer be our Governor, but his corrupt legacy looms large over the Democrats running our state into the ground. We need a strong and principled Governor who will focus on fighting for families and jobs, and stop NYC Socialists from taking complete control of Albany. I look forward to working with our next Governor Lee Zeldin to save our state,” closed Senator Rob Ortt.
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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.