Donald Trump has chosen Lee Zeldin, former representative of the Republican Party of New York, as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The 44-year-old served four terms as a Republican congressman on eastern Long Island. He lost the 2022 New York governor’s race to Kathy Hochul.

“I am deeply honored to have been asked by President Trump to serve in his Cabinet. As EPA Administrator, we will restore American energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, make the United States the world leader in artificial intelligence, and cut the red tape that keeps American workers from upward economic path. mobility,” says Zeldin. in a statement to the New York Post.

“We will accomplish all this while protecting our environment, protecting access to clean air and water, and keeping the American people healthy. I look forward to contributing to President Trump’s agenda to build a more prosperous future for our nation,” he added.

Trump also confirmed his decision to nominate Zeldin. “Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulation decisions that will be made in a way that will unleash the power of corporate America while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on earth. “He will set new standards in environmental research and maintenance that will help the United States grow in a healthy and well-structured way,” the president-elect said in a statement on Truth Social.

Trump added: “I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time and have seen him handle some extremely difficult and complex situations brilliantly. I am very proud to have him in the Trump administration, where he will quickly prove to be a major contributor!”

The nomination must be approved by the Republican-held Senate.

Who is Lee Zeldin?

Zeldin, who received his law degree from Albany Law School in 2003, served in the Army for four years. He initially served in the New York State Senate and later joined Congress as one of the few Jewish Republican officeholders.

Zeldin previously advocated protecting Long Island from potentially harmful dredged waste. He will now serve in the Cabinet alongside Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), whom Trump has selected as his U.N. ambassador.