John Rodgers has been a good Lieutenant Governor, and I will vote for his reelection.

I’ve known John for a long time, first as a stone mason (a stone artist, really), then as a farmer, and then as a legislator.

I served four years in the Legislature with John. We were both elected and served as Democrats. Along the way, it became clear to both of us that there needed to be more balance in Montpelier. Democratic majorities of 30 years in the Senate and 22 years in the House have given us policies that led to dramatic increases in property taxes, made building housing difficult and expensive, and drove health insurers from the Vermont market.

John is now running as a Vermont Republican, and his drive and commitment remind me of other great Vermont Republicans, such as Jim Jeffords, Robert Stafford, and Richard Snelling. And I believe he is one of the few people in the Statehouse who actually speaks with a Vermont accent!

It’s important to remember that, in our lifetime, a Lieutenant Governor had to step in when our sitting Governor died. John Rodgers is prepared for that task if, heaven forbid, he is needed. He has served in both the House and the Senate, and now, with his experience as Lieutenant Governor, he is ready.

Please join me in reelecting John Rodgers as Vermont’s Lieutenant Governor. If you are with me, you can stand with him here. >>> -Paul Ralston, New Haven

Supporting Andrea Murray – I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Andrea Murray in her campaign for Windsor County Senate. I have had the privilege of knowing Andrea for the past six years, and in that time, I have come to respect her immensely for her dedication, intelligence, and work ethic.

Andrea is a hardworking farmer from Weathersfield, and she brings a grounded, practical perspective that is sorely needed in Montpelier. She is articulate and thoughtful, able to break down complex issues and communicate them clearly to both farmers and urban constituents alike. But above all, it is her relentless work ethic that stands out. Whether she’s tending to her fields, organizing community events, or advocating for rural Vermont, Andrea gives every task her all.

In a time when so many of our representatives seem disconnected from everyday life, Andrea stands as a bridge between the needs of working families and the decisions in Montpelier. She has the experience, passion, and integrity to represent Windsor County with distinction.

I urge my fellow community members to join me in supporting Andrea Murray for Windsor County Senate. Together, we can steer our county toward a future that works for all of us. – Patrick Danaher, Hartford

You received a mail-in ballot – use it! If you’re like a lot of folks in Vermont, you’ve stopped believing your vote matters. For nearly 30 years, Montpelier has promised to make Vermont affordable. Every year, it gets harder to live here.

State spending has grown from under $2 billion in 1996 to more than $5 billion today. We now carry one of the highest tax burdens (3rd highest) in the country, along with some of the highest costs for education, health care, and housing. Our young people leave because they can’t afford to stay.

The same majority that built this budget—for the past 24 years with a Democrat supermajority or overwhelming majority—is now campaigning on fixing it. Their answer is more revenue—more spending, a tax on second homes plus a wealth tax—not to reduce our existing tax burden but to fund more spending. Not one Democrat has offered to lower an existing tax rate or reduce spending.

This fall, you can push back. Your ballot was mailed to you this month, a week late, so check your mail. Fill it out, sign the envelope, and send it back early, drop it at your town clerk’s office, or bring it to the polls on November 3. If you’re not registered, you can still register and vote on Election Day. Voter registration made easy-USE IT You can register here: Voter Information System

Here’s what’s on your ballot:

Lieutenant Governor: John Rodgers. John is from Glover. He’s one of us. His opponent, Molly Gray, supports new taxes on high earners and second homeowners. Polls show John trailing statewide but well ahead in the NEK. That means a good turnout can decide this race.

And remember, Vote for Governor Phil Scott, Governor Scott did not create this deficit, he does not write the budget. He can only sign it or veto it, and the Legislature has overridden his veto again and again. Blaming him is only political theater. If we want different results, we need different votes in Montpelier.

Don’t sit this one out. Your neighbors are counting on you., Chet Greenwood, Derby