Rep. Steve Israel files for divorce from Marlene Budd

Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) has filed for divorce from his wife, acting State Supreme Court Justice Marlene Budd, according to court documents.

The filing in Supreme Court on Nov. 12 came three years after the couple disclosed their intention to divorce. They married in 2003, after serving together on the Huntington Town Board.

Israel, 56, won re-election to Congress on Nov. 4.

An Israel spokeswoman referred questions about the divorce to attorney Floyd Sarisohn, of Commack, who said he could not comment. Budd, 49, declined to comment.

Israel and Budd each had been married once before. Israel has two children from his previous marriage.

Budd was elected to Family Court in Suffolk in 2005. She was appointed an acting Supreme Court justice two years ago, and handles matrimonial matters.

Israel, who was first elected to Congress in 2000, is set to publish his first novel, "The Global War on Morris" on Dec. 30. In the political satire, a Long Island pharmaceutical representative is seduced by a receptionist and gets caught in an NSA surveillance program.

Israel led the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee before stepping down as planned after the Nov. 4 election. Republicans made historic gains in the election, and will control 247 House seats, to 188 for Democrats.

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.