Democratic members chose Susan A. Berland of Dix Hills as majority leader of the Suffolk County Legislature Wednesday night.
“I am humbled and honored that my colleagues have entrusted me to lead our caucus,” Berland said. “Suffolk County faces significant challenges, but we have innumerable opportunities within our reach. I will, as I always have, continue to collaborate with my colleagues across the aisle to do the work of the people. Bipartisan cooperation is the key to finding sensible and innovative solutions to the obstacles we face in the years ahead.”
She succeeds Dr. William “Doc” Spencer of Centerport who resigned as majority leader after he was arrested on drug charges in October. He remains a member of the legislature.
Berland previously served 16 years as a member of the Huntington Town Board until she was elected to the legislature representing the 16th District.
“I offer my congratulations to Legislator Susan A. Berland on being selected as the Democratic caucus’s Majority Leader,” said Presiding Officer Rob Calarco. “Since joining the legislature in 2018 after serving for 16 years on the Huntington Town Board, Legislator Berland has been a tireless advocate not only for the residents of the 16th Legislative District, but also for all Suffolk County residents. An effective and forward-thinking lawmaker, she has spearheaded pioneering legislation to help our veterans, ensure the availability of affordable housing, and stop discrimination in the
hiring process. She brings a voice of reason to our discussions and a keen ability to facilitate cooperation and compromise.”
She is a past vice president and member of the Board of Directors of House Beautiful in Dix Hills, and a member of Temple Beth Torah in Melville.
Berland is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where she worked as a New York State Senate aide, and later graduated from Hofstra University School of Law where she serves as an adjunct law professor. Before her election to the Suffolk in
Before her election to the Suffolk County Legislature and Huntington Town Board, Susan served as a New York State assistant attorney general in the Prisoners Litigation Division where she prosecuted parole violators, an assistant town attorney for the Town of Huntington and as an attorney in private practice. She lives in Dix Hills with her husband and four children.