Lee Michael Zeldin (born January 30, 1980) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 17th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since January 2025. Previously, he served in the United States House of Representatives, representing New York's 1st congressional district from 2015 to 2023, as well as in the New York State Senate, representing the 3rd Senate district from 2011 to 2014. He is a member of the Republican Party.
A close ally of President Donald Trump, Zeldin prominently defended Trump during his first impeachment. Zeldin was the Republican nominee for Governor of New York in 2022. Although he lost the election to incumbent governor Kathy Hochul, it was the best Republican performance in a New York gubernatorial election since 2002, and the closest since 1994.
In 2025, Zeldin became the administrator of the EPA as part of the second administration of President Trump and proposed major deregulation actions at the agency.
Zeldin was born on January 30, 1980, in East Meadow, New York, the son of Merrill Schwartz and David Zeldin. His father was a private investigator and his mother was a fourth-grade teacher. They divorced when Zeldin was young. He was raised in Shirley in Long Island, New York, and graduated from William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, New York, in 1998. Zeldin's family is Jewish and he attended Hebrew school. His uncle Isaiah Zeldin was a rabbi who founded Stephen Wise Temple, a Reform synagogue in Los Angeles.
Zeldin graduated from SUNY University at Albany in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and from Albany Law School in 2003 with a Juris Doctor. He passed the bar exam and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2004, becoming the youngest lawyer in New York at the time.
Military service and legal practice
Zeldin received an Army ROTC commission as a second lieutenant, and served in the United States Army from 2003 to 2007, where he initially joined the Military Intelligence Corps. In 2007, he transitioned from active duty to the Army Reserve, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel before his retirement on April 30, 2025.
In 2007, Zeldin became an attorney for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In 2008, he started a general-practice law firm in Smithtown, New York that he ran until his election to New York's 3rd State Senate district in 2010.
New York State Senate (2011–2014)
In 2010, Zeldin ran in the New York State Senate's 3rd District, challenging Democratic incumbent Brian X. Foley. Zeldin defeated Foley with 57% of the vote. Zeldin was reelected in 2012, defeating Democrat Francis Genco with 56% of the vote.
In January 2011, a bill co-sponsored by Zeldin provided for a 2% property tax cap to become law.
In June 2011, Zeldin voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33–29. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law. In a statement after the bill passed, Zeldin said: "It is my belief that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman."
In December 2011, Zeldin supported a $250 million cut to the MTA payroll tax.
In March 2012, Zeldin helped to create the PFC Joseph Dwyer PTSD Peer-to-Peer Veterans Support program; funding for the program was included in the 2012–13 New York State Budget.
In February 2014, Zeldin introduced a bill that sought to halt implementation of the Common Core curriculum for three years.
In March 2014, Zeldin voted against the New York Dream Act, which would allow undocumented students who meet in-state tuition requirements to obtain financial aid to study at the university level.
U.S. House of Representatives (2015-2023)
In 2008, Zeldin challenged incumbent representative Tim Bishop in New York's 1st congressional district. Bishop defeated Zeldin 58%–42%.