Patch Candidate Profile: John Zachos For Legislative Council, District 3

NEWTOWN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

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

Candidate's Name: John Zachos

What office are you seeking? Legislative Council District 3

What town do you live in? Newtown

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Retired (Formerly Supply Chain Management 40 years)

Family: I have my wife, Ann, who has been my best friend and greatest supporter in life. We have been married for 39 years and raised two children, both of whom graduated from Newtown High School. Our son, Alex, who had the most infectious smile, passed away 13 years ago from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Our daughter, Abigail, lives in Miami and is expecting our first grandchild.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No, I am proudly the first

Previous public office, appointive or elective: Yes, I am currently serving my first term in the Legislative Council for the great town of Newtown

Why are you seeking this office? For many years, my focus was on work and family, especially caring for my handicapped son who required 24-hour attention. During that time, Newtown was incredibly supportive to him and to our family. The schools, his classmates, and our neighbors all showed great kindness. After his passing, and with my daughter now grown and living in Miami, I felt it was time for me to give back to the town that gave so much to us.

During my first term on the Legislative Council, I’ve seen firsthand the financial complexities and challenges Newtown faces. My priority is to ensure that essential services remain strong while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. That often means making difficult choices and balancing the needs of the town with what our citizens can reasonably afford. I believe in this role I can continue to make a meaningful difference for our community.

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

Newtown families are already stretched by record inflation, some of the highest electric rates in the country, and now a 6.72% tax increase — one of the largest in recent history that I had voted against.

In my second term as a member of the Legislative Council, I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility by eliminating wasteful spending, ensuring tax dollars are used wisely, and reducing the burden on taxpayers while protecting public safety, infrastructure, and education.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? I bring nearly 40 years of experience in supply chain, a non-revenue generating function, where I managed large budgets across transportation, warehousing, and inventory. I treated these resources as if they were my own, ensuring transportation contracts were cost-effective yet reliable, managing billions in inventory to maintain high cash conversion rates, and optimizing warehouse space without sacrificing service quality. I bring this same disciplined, results-oriented mindset to my work as a Legislative Council member.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? As a member of the Legislative Council, our responsibilities include budget oversight, appropriations, ordinance authority, real property transactions, and Charter revision. While I will continue to focus on these areas to improve affordability, I also believe the town must encourage local business growth, support small businesses, and attract sustainable commercial development to shift the tax burden from residential to commercial. Within my role and my purview, I will work with the First Selectman, the Economic and Community Development Department, and the Economic Development Commission to help achieve this goal.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I am successfully completing my first term on the Legislative Council, serving on both the Municipal Operations and ARPA Committees. Professionally, I have managed multi-billion dollar budgets and expenditures with efficiency and fiscal responsibility, ensuring cost-effective results without compromising quality.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? My mother, being Japanese, always told me - “Hearing before speaking is the first step to wisdom.” Essentially this meant it’s important to listen first before speaking, so you fully understand the situation and can respond thoughtfully.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? That I care tremendously for this town and want it to continue to be a great place to live and raise a family.