Darien 2023 Election Profile: Jon E. Zagrodzky For First Selectman

DARIEN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 7 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot in Darien.

Patch reached out to candidates for local office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the town.

Name

Jon E. Zagrodzky

How old will you be as of Election Day?

60

What city or town do you live in?

Darien, CT

What office are you seeking?

First Selectman

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

BA, Washington & Lee University; MBA, The Wharton School

What is your occupation?

COO of a private equity firm currently (I am retiring December 31), with 35 years of experience in a variety of professional roles.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Married to the lovely and talented Sara for nearly 25 years; we have two children (Maggie, 23 and Jack, 22).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Darien Board of Selectmen (2021-present); Darien Board of Finance (2008-2021, chairman 2016-2021); Darien Town and Police Pension Boards (2009-2017).

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have lived in Darien with my family since 2005. As an elected official since 2008 and a volunteer in a variety of roles, I have seen up close what a great town this is. Our schools, facilities, commercial developments (especially recently), parks and beaches are all first rate. Even more important are the talented and tireless individuals – town employees, education professionals, and volunteers – who make it all work. I am continually amazed by their dedication.

I am running for First Selectman because I want to build on this success. I have the experience, relationships, credibility, and vision to lead Darien to new heights. Whether it is Great Island, our business districts, our parks and fields, our schools, or our natural assets, we have many opportunities before us to make Darien even better. Importantly, though, we also need to preserve what we have already built. This means continued attention to our infrastructure, roadways, town facilities and municipal services. In short, I will work to protect what we have while building for the future.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our constituents is Great Island. The town spent a significant sum to acquire this property, and it is important that we continue to leverage the extraordinary Darien volunteers assisting us to get it right.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am running unopposed, but throughout my public career, I have tried to listen to all sides, promote transparency and understanding, and achieve consensus. I would welcome the chance to hear from anyone, particularly those who disagree with me. Open and honest dialogue makes for better outcomes.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am succeeding my good friend Monica McNally as First Selectman. She has been an excellent public servant! I am very glad she will continue to serve on the Board of Selectmen.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Local control - Darien should make decisions about local housing, education and access, not Hartford. We want to do the right thing on all of these, and we should be trusted to do so.

Flood mitigation - we have a number of investments in motion to improve flooding infrastructure, and they should be completed ASAP.

Public safety - we must continue our support for local law enforcement and first responders, particularly in addressing recent challenges with break-ins and car thefts.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Beyond my experience in town government, I have had other volunteer and professional roles relevant to serving as First Selectman. These include serving as president of the Darien Historical Society (2011-2015), board chair of the Forman School in Litchfield (2016-2022), and board member for Project for Public Spaces, a New York nonprofit focused on placemaking (2015-present). In addition, I have worked in senior private equity finance and operations roles since 2010, and I worked at McKinsey & Company for 16 years in consulting and management positions.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Just ask!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Someone once asked me if I could live anywhere in the world, where would that be? For me, the clear answer, then and now, is Darien, Connecticut. I look forward to helping all residents of this amazing town feel the same way!