Zalaski Out, Zoni In for Run at 81st District Seat

It's the end of an era in the 81st district in Southington.

After a decade in office, State Rep. Bruce "Zeke" Zalaski, D-81st, announced Wednesday morning that he will step down from his position, leaving it open for another Democratic candidate. David Zoni, a former two-term member, said he plans to run for the seat.

"It’s a very hard decision. I've made a lot of friends up here and have been able to do a lot of good things for the town and people across the state," Zalaski said in a phone interview Wednesday. "It's hard to leave, but the time has come and I need to put my family first."

Zalaski, 61, was in session last year when his father passed away and now that his mother, Mary Zalaski, is now 86-year-old and he wants to spend more time with her. He said he is also planning on enjoying his retirement from political service by spending more time with his grandchildren as well.

It's been a long road for Zalaski, members of the Democratic Party said Wednesday, with ups and downs over the 10 years of service. They expressed pride in what he's accomplished and how he has represented the only district 100 percent within Southington town lines.

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Zoni said he intends to file his intention to run for the district next week and hopes he can follow in Zalaski's footsteps.

"Zeke has served Southington well. He’s done great job for community in the past ten years and I only hope I can gain support and build on what he has accomplished."

Zalaski first ran for state office in 2002, his first run for an elected seat of any kind. He had previously done lobbyist work as part of his manufacturer's union and has since made strides with a number of workers rights issues including several times and in passing the nation's first in 2011.

He said the bill that has been most important to him has been the efforts made for campaign reform, however.

"Over the past 10 years, this was the one I felt was most important. It was a bill that allows you and me, any average man, to run for office and have a shot without being grossly outspent by those with money."

Zalaski said with the seat open, he is now planning on focusing his attention to Zoni's campaign and helping the Democrats maintain control of the 81st district. If Zoni gets the official nomination, he would be running against Republican Southington Town Council member Cheryl Lounsbury for the soon-to-be open seat.

Lounsbury last month, focusing her early campaign on the need to reduce taxes and grow job opportunities in the state.

Zoni said job creation would be his primary focus if elected to office, but that he also intends to focus on improving education and providing more stability within the Connecticut economy.

"I was born and raised in the 81st district, I've raised my children here. This is an opportunity I'm really looking forward to," he said.

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