Paul Bass Photo
Andrea DiLieto Zola at WNHH FM.
Andrea DiLieto Zola is knocking on Wooster Square doors asking voters to do something new this November — elect a New Haven Republican to the state legislature.
She’s the Republican challenger this year to incumbent Democratic State Rep. Roland Lemar for the 96th General Assembly seat covering Wooster Square, East Rock, and Fair Haven. Lemar, who co-chairs the legislature’s Transportation Committee, is seeking an eighth two-year term.
“I’m personally running because I think we need diversity,” Zola said during conversation Tuesday on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven” program.
“There are not many women in politics at the moment. I think we need more women in leadership seats, and I would like to be one of them, especially representing the Republican Party.”
After years running a fashion and beauty business, Zola has dived in recent years into studying up on cybersecurity and getting involved in politics and community affairs. She ran for Ward 8 alder last year; she serves as the ward’s Republican ward co-chair and was a member of the Wooster Square Monument Committee.
She said on air that she believes her small-business experience, cybsersecurity background, and interest in nuclear energy and electric vehicles will help her tackle issues as a state rep.
Zola, the 37-year-old grand-niece of former New Haven Mayor Biagio DiLieto, said she’s halfway to the goal of raising $6,000 from 150 New Haveners.
“Today, I am going to buzz around with my treasurer. We’re going to drive to every single Republican’s house … to knock on their door and ask for that $5 so that I can meet my goal by Aug. 23.
“Whether you’re unaffiliated, a Republican or a Democrat, if you want diversity and you would like me to have a fair chance against my opponent, even if you’re not going to vote for me … donate the $5. It’s the right thing to do.”
Other highlights from the conversation:
• On electrifying buses (a Lemar priority) and EVs: “I have to be really blunt and really honest here. With the information that we are given with data and statistics, these these vehicles cause major issues with the infrastructure, because they’re heavier, they’re made out of specific metals. I just don’t think it’s a good idea or we are ready for them yet at this point. I’ve had my EV for three years, and we’ve had one charging station nearby for a very short period of time. It’s made it really difficult for me to travel.
“I don’t know how much longer I will have my Tesla. A lot has been changing at the state level. …I may take a step back and buy myself maybe a used Volvo, and wait until the state has more of an idea and decision on how they have EV operating.”
• On abortion: “I’m pro family. That’s my focus. My focus is not taking any rights away from women, especially my daughter in the future. But I do think it is very important for people to really do their work and read about what is happening and not gain their knowledge from sources like Facebook or Instagram.”
• On a state proposal for striking workers to qualify for unemployment benefits after two weeks on a picket line: “Go to work. There’s tons of days where I don’t want to go to work. I’m tired. We’re still living in a VUCA atmosphere. There are distractions happening all around us. I’m sorry. We need to go to work. We have to pay our bills. That’s my response.”
• On public safety: “The main thing that I’ve been reading about, which I think is super important, is the Democrats passing the Police Accountability Act in 2020, which has caused traffic fatalities to increase just in one year by 7.6 percent, and that was 2020 to 2021. I was watching the news last night, and it’s now spiked from 2022 to 2024. The issue with that is the Police Accountability Act — the Democrats are taking away different training methods for police officers to do their job correctly. It causes an issue for everybody, and honestly, I feel like it affects the lower-income communities more than anybody, because they need the most help.”
• On her political role models: “If I had to pick a favorite president, it would be Mr. Kennedy. He’s a favorite for a lot of people. He was also very interested in space exploration and nuclear energy, which I also find very interesting. But if I had to choose a woman right now, it would be Katie Britt, who is a senator in Alabama. I think she’s a great role model for women right now. I look forward to eventually meeting her, all right; she’s also pro family.”
Click on the above video to watch the full conversation with state rep candidate Andrea Zola DiLieto on WNHH FM’s “Dateline New Haven.” Click here to subscribe or here to listen to other episodes of Dateline New Haven.