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Stephen N. Zielinski Sr. (born February 16, 1964) is an American businessman, Entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and solar energy professional from New Jersey with a diverse background in the food industry, commodities trading, and sustainability. Zielinski was the Green Party Candidate for Assembly in the 12th Legislative District in the New Jersey general election, 2015
On October 17, 2024, he announced his candidacy for the 2025 New Jersey gubernatorial election.
Early life
Stephen N Zielinski Sr. was born and raised in Linden, where he attended local elementary schools and Linden High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in Film Production at Brooklyn College part of the City University of New York system.
His career began in the 1980s in the restaurant business, where he co-founded and operated a farm-to-table restaurant with his wife. Their restaurant was supplied by an organic vegetable garden, reflecting Zielinski’s lifelong commitment to healthy living and environmental stewardship.
From 2000 to 2008, Zielinski worked as a commodities broker and Commodity Trade Advisor, successfully managing a hedge fund that grew from $200,000 to $13.5 million. He authored financial articles for Investopedia and was featured in Stocks & Commodities Magazine. In 2010, he returned to the food industry, founding Crazy Steve’s Concoctions, a pickle and salsa company that used its products to raise awareness about environmental issues and hunger, partnering with Feeding America. His foundation, "Pickles Against World Hunger," auctioned celebrity-signed jars to support the cause. The brand grew to be sold in major markets like Whole Foods and Acme. Following his wife’s passing in 2017, Zielinski expanded his efforts in sustainable agriculture by raising pasture-raised animals and practicing regenerative farming on his small farm. In recent years, he has turned his focus toward renewable energy, dedicating himself to the solar industry since 2016. Zielinski has trained and built teams nationwide, working to empower homeowners to adopt clean energy and reduce dependence on traditional utility companies. Through his efforts, he continues to promote sustainability, environmental awareness, and economic growth. He remains actively engaged in advocating for renewable energy and sustainable practices, viewing solar energy as a key solution to climate change and community resilience.