A longtime Nassau County lawmaker who served as the county legislature's presiding officer has died.
A spokesman says Peter Schmitt died Wednesday morning after suffering a heart attack during a meeting in the county executive's office. He was 62.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano issued a statement calling Schmitt a dedicated public servant. He ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in the lawmaker's honor. Similar tributes were released by political friends and foes.
Schmitt represented the Massapequa area in the county legislature since 1996.
He was a conservative Republican and staunch anti-tax advocate.
He is survived by a wife, daughter and grandchild.
A special election will be scheduled to fill his unexpired term. His death leaves the legislature evenly split between nine Democrats and nine Republicans.
