Lee Michael Zeldin (born January 30, 1980, in East Meadow, New York) is an American politician, attorney, and former U.S. Representative from New York's 1st congressional district (2015-2023). A Republican, he began his career with military service in the U.S. Army, completing ROTC and serving four years on active duty as a Military Intelligence Officer, Federal Prosecutor, and Military Magistrate, including a 2006 deployment to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division. After establishing a law practice in 2008, he entered politics as a New York State Senator for the 3rd district (2011-2014). In Congress, he served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and was a vocal supporter of Trump-era policies and pro-Israel advocacy. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of New York in 2022, losing to Kathy Hochul. On November 11, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Zeldin as the 17th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a role he assumed on January 29, 2025, marking a significant shift from his congressional and military background to leading the federal environmental regulatory agency. His appointment drew scrutiny from environmental groups due to his limited prior experience in environmental matters. Throughout his career, Zeldin has emphasized conservative priorities including fiscal responsibility, national security, and veterans' issues, informed by his military and legal background.