Zawistowski Seeking Republican 61st District Nomination

East Granby resident Tami Zawistowski announced on Wednesday that she is seeking the Republican nomination for the 61st district seat in the state’s House of Representatives.

The seat, which includes Suffield, East Granby and a small portion of Windsor, is currently held by Democrat Elaine O’Brien, Suffield’s Town Clerk, who is running for re-election.

"She's a nice lady," Zawistowski said of O'Brien. "We just have some deep philosophical differences."

Zawistowski, who serves as vice chair of the East Granby Board of Finance, said she is running for the state legislature because it’s time for a change at the state capital, particularly with how the state handle’s its finances.

“I’m getting tired of what’s going on in Hartford, with an increase in taxes and no decrease in spending,” Zawistowski said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “Business up there doesn’t make sense.”

She decided to run, in part, due to the redistricting that led to having all of East Granby subsumed into the 61st District; prior to redistricting, only a portion of East Granby was in the district.

“I have more of a base here,” she said.

Zawistowski was born in Stafford and attended the University of Connecticut. She has been an East Granby resident for 10 years, owning and operating Resource Books, LLC, an online enterprise that buys and sells used and rare books.

“I care deeply about what goes on here,” said Zawistowski, who also heavily involved with the East Granby Economic Development Commission, among other boards and commissions. “I remember when Connecticut used to be a dynamic state 15 or 20 years ago...I’d like to try to get back where we should be. It’s sad to see all the young people leaving.”

Zawistowski, who made the announcement at the East Granby Republican Town Committee meeting several days ago, also received the endorsement of the Windsor Town Committee on Thursday.

Kirby Huget, the chairman of the East Granby Republican Town Committee, said he was thrilled with Zawistowski’s candidacy.

“We couldn’t be happier,” Huget said Friday. “Tami is going to be an outstanding legislator; she has a background in finance and owns and operates a small business in East Granby...I have no doubt that she can beat the incumbent, as she has proven herself to be an effective, tireless and aggressive campaigner.”

No other candidate has emerged for the Republican nomination, according to Zawistowski, who said she plans on seeking the endorsement from the Suffield Republican Town Committee soon.

“I’m very excited about running,” Zawistowski said.

The Republican convention for the 61st District is on May 16.