By Hank Russell
Assemblyman Daniel Norber (R,C-Great Neck) was officially introduced on the Assembly floor on January 8, marking the start of his term. Norber becomes the first Assembly Minority Conference member to represent the 16th Assembly District in more than 50 years. He addressed a myriad of issues, including crime, drugs, gun violence, illegal immigration and the cost of living.
“As your assemblyman, I’m ready to tackle pressing challenges for Long Island residents,” said Norber. “The rise in crime, driven by lax bail laws and the flood of synthetic opioids into our communities, is devastating families. We must fund our police, stop the inflow of dangerous drugs and keep illegal guns off our streets.”
His district covers Nassau County and is comprised of a portion of the Town of North Hempstead, the Villages of Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manorhaven, Plandome Manor, and Saddle Rock, and the communities of Manhasset, Port Washington, Searingtown, and Williston Park. He defeated Democrat incumbent Gina Sillitti in 2024.
A first-generation American, Norber was born in the United States and raised in Israel, according to his biography. His grandparents survived the Holocaust, and his mother escaped the injustices of Soviet Union communism. Whilw living in Israel, he was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces at 17 years old, where he served as a staff sergeant in the military police. Work in the military helped shape his character and orient it to help others.
Shortly before September 11, 2001, Norber moved to New York City, where he worked in consumer sales and managed a restaurant group. After transitioning out of the restaurant industry, he established his own moving business, and later invested in real estate.
He is involved with several religious organizations as well as community groups that support veterans through Samaritan Village and women through Women In Need.
Norber graduated from Reichman University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.
In addition to crime, drugs and gun violence, Norber expressed his concern over the current immigration crisis affecting local municipalities and burdening them financially. “Hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants have taken advantage of our asylum process, welfare system and legal process here in the state. As the son of immigrants, I believe in a fair system that doesn’t let people skip the line.”
On affordability, Norber vowed to combat high taxes and rising costs, saying, “Long Islanders deserve relief. Inflation, supply chain shortages and rising energy costs are making life harder for working-class New Yorkers.”
Norber expressed optimism for the state’s future, “I look forward to working across the aisle to achieve common-sense results residents are looking for. I feel as if I have a wealth of experience that connects me to the issues my fellow Long Islanders are facing, and I look forward to bringing a level approach to Albany.”