Candidates lining up for state senate race

Paula Zelenko BURTON — State Rep. Jim Slezak will run against Burton City Councilwoman Paula Zelenko for the 26th State Senate District seat this summer.

Slezak, serving his first term as 50th District State Representative, said Tuesday filed for the opportunity last week as well.

He made no further comment about his decision to run, aside from stating he will formally announce his candidacy later this week or early next week.

Slezak, a Yale graduate in political science who lives in Davison Township, currently serves as a state Democratic representative from Davison.

The 50th District seat he holds covers the cities of Burton and Davison, as well as Richfield, Genesee and Davison townships.

Zelenko also filed last week for her chance at the seat being left open by State Sen. Deborah Cherry, who is term limited. She has served as a Democrat from Burton since 2002, winning re-election to the position in 2006.

Jim Slezak In a press release, Zelenko stated “Experience does count,” pointing to her three stints as a democratic state representative from 2001-2006 and 10-plus years as a Burton city council member.

“We need people in state government who understand the affects that lawmakers have on our local communities, schools and businesses,” she said. Zelenko said “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in her decision was the state’s cut in revenue sharing, which has cost Burton around $400,000.

She said Lansing needs people that “understand local government better.” Zelenko added she hopes more people with local government experience step up to state government level and create positive changes for residents.

She has already garnered support from various officials, including Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Burton mayor Charles Smiley, Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright, Genesee County Board of Commissioners chairman Jamie Curtis and the entire Burton city council.

Of Zelenko, Smiley said: “She has an exceptional understanding of how state mandates affect our communities,” he said in a press release. “She was an excellent state representative and will make an excellent state senator.”

Zelenko and Slezak will vie for the Democratic nomination in the Aug. 3 primary election.

Two Republican candidates have filed in the race for the 26th Senate district. Former 51st District State Rep. David Robertson and former 43rd District State Rep. Fran Amos, both of whom served from 2003-2008, will compete for the senate spot.

The 26th Senate District covers a large area including Clio, Otisville, Columbiaville, Mt. Morris, Burton, Davison, Grand Blanc, Goodrich and the townships of Vienna, Mt. Morris, Forest, Thetford, Richfield, Davison, Grand Blanc and Atlas in Genesee County and stretches into north Oakland County.