Shelton mayor will run for state House

Shelton Mayor Eric Onisko announced he will run on the August primary ballot for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Onisko will be running as a Republican in a bid to unseat fellow Republican Travis Couture, who is in his first term in Position 2 representing District 35. Onisko, a 56-year-old retired businessman, last week was unanimously elected for a second term as mayor of Shelton by the other six members of the Shelton City Council.

In an interview with the Journal, Onisko said he's been considering a run for the state House for years.

"I was going to run last year, but the plate was full - there were three Republicans that year," he said.

Onisko said that the morning after his announcement, he was reading social media posts criticizing him for running against Couture, who lives in Allyn.

"It's not about Travis," he said. "It's about me. It's a goal I have. I want to help people."

Onisko sold both of the gas station/convenience stores he owned, at Bayshore and on Olympic Highway South.

"I've done a good job as mayor," he said. "I listen to everybody. I do what I think is right."

Onisko added, "I have been on the local level. I want to be on the state level."

Municipalities "need some help from the state" on challenges that include drug addiction and homelessness, Onisko said. Onisko said he plans to campaign on social media and sees it as a grass-roots campaign.

If he wins, he'll have one more year remaining on his term as city council member and mayor. City Manager Mark Ziegler will decide if there is a conflict of interest or not in deciding if he can be mayor and state representative at the same time, Onisko said.

In his announcement released on Jan. 3, Onisko wrote, "In these challenging times, it's important to remember that there is no right or wrong when it comes to finding solutions. We all have different perspectives, but what truly matters is our shared goal of solving the problems we face. Together, we can achieve anything.

"I firmly believe that unity is the key to progress. By collaborating we can create a brighter future for everyone in our state. Whether it's improving education, solving homelessness or boosting our local economies, I am committed to working tirelessly to address the issues that matter to you. But I can't do it alone. I need your support, your ideas, and your enthusiasm to make a real difference. Let's join forces and build a state where everyone's voice is heard and valued. Together, we can make our state an even better place to live, work and thrive."

Onisko wrote that he supports stronger collaboration between the state and municipalities.

"It's time to bridge the gap and ensure that our communities receive the support they deserve," he wrote. "By working together, we can find innovative solutions to address these challenges. We need to foster open lines of communication, listen to the concerns of our local leaders, and work toward a fair and equitable system that benefits everyone."