By Cary Shuman
Alexander Zapata has announced his candidacy for the state representative seat in the 10th Essex District that was previously held by Robert Fennell.
Zapata has been a resident of Lynn for three years. He owned a cellular telephone store, The Electronics Experts, in the city from 2009 to 2012.
Zapata, 26, is the branch manager of Webster Bank in Harvard Square, Cambridge. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University. He and his wife, Johoancy, have three children.
Zapata said he discussed his potential candidacy with his friends and state representatives Jay Livingstone and Russell Holmes before launching his bid for election.
“I love helping people,” said Zapata. “Prior to being a branch manager I was a small business relationship manager for three years and I worked with the Latino market in Boston and helping small businesses grow was something that I always enjoyed. Small businesses are the backbone of America.”
Zapata has been knocking on doors and meeting with local business owners. He will be holding a campaign kickoff reception at Trios Mexican Grille on Market Street on a date to be announced.
“I’m very excited about my first run for office,” said Zapata. “With my finance background, I would like to promote the importance of attending college and funding financial literacy seminars for our high school students. I want students to understand how valuable having a college degree is. I also want to work with small businesses and incentifize new businesses coming in to the city.”
Zapata said he hopes to be the first Latino state representative in the city’s history. He will be a candidate in the Democratic primary on April 12. The special election is May 10.
Alexander Zapata.