The seat became vacant when first-term Sen. Sam Douglass resigned October 20 under pressure from Scott and GOP leaders after controversial statements he made online surfaced in a national news report.
Francis becomes one of the youngest state party chairs in Vermont Democratic Party history and among the youngest in the nation.
Kesha Ram Hinsdale ran for lieutenant governor once. Is she thinking about a second run – or maybe she has her sights set higher? Call in at 11:05 today to 802-244-1777.
Dame said Dodge’s decision to photograph the piñata and post images from the event on social media showed poor judgment for an elected official.
50-47 vote of delegates at state convention in Burlington.
Roper says one of Ingalls’ greatest strengths will be his ability to raise money and connect directly with donors.
Each candidate developed a campaign platform centered around an important issue facing our state and a three-point plan for how fifth graders can address that issue in their own communities.
Like chair candidates Dame and Ingalls, three candidates for the vice-chair position will face the judgement of voters at the annual party meeting Saturday at a Burlington hotel.
VDC brought our voice recorder to the Barre GOP breakfast and posed questions to both candidates for state chair. Listen in!
I found that it became too difficult for me to accomplish any major goals in my first session as a Senator.
The improbable winner of a northeastern city mayoral election 44 years ago urged Mamdani’s followers to work hard before November 4.
The abrupt loss of his full-time income, as well as the part-time income earned as a state senator, has left the Douglass family with little means of support, just weeks after their first child was born.
latner recently disclosed that he has a skull-and-crossbones ‘totenkopf’ tattoo associated with Nazi symbolism, which he, while serving in the U.S. Marines, got while drunk on leave in Croatia in 2007.
Douglass describes how both he and his wife Brianna, parents to a newborn, were fired from their jobs after the Politico story leading to his resignation was published.
We just had a baby. Our first. We struggled with fertility for years and we were lucky. I was on paternity leave as of last week and I was just returning to legislative work when this story broke. So, we’re still trying to put our house back together and catch up on sleep. Yet, I have received some of the most horrific hate one could imagine.
Developing news on the Politico story…
“The VTGOP Executive Committee unanimously supports this statement and issues a full, complete retraction of the previously issued statement by Chairman Paul Dame,” the executive committee said.
“I completely denounce and fully condemn the vile and disgusting comments included in the POLITICO article and I have cut all ties with those involved,” Douglas said.
“After speaking with Russ, it is clear that we have a fearless advocate with the vision needed to lead our Party into 2026 and beyond,” Gervais said.
“We are in agreement with Gov. Phil Scott. Sen. Sam Douglass’ statements as reported by Politico are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. They cannot be excused and are inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for,” GOP House and Senate leaders said.
The Vermont Republican Party has the policies Vermonters want to rally around, and we need to make sure our messaging matches the moment.
The new candidate is a real estate exec and radio station owner.
The ‘Bernie Sanders state’ could have a Republican-controlled Legislature next year, Erickson noted.
The evening’s guest speaker will be nationally syndicated radio show host Erick Erickson who is based out of Atlanta. Prior to starting his own radio show and podcast Erickson also served as the CEO and Editor-in Chief at RedState.com.
“May every one of you filthy Rebs die screaming in a fire,” Bartner added.
Citizens deserve to know more about the personal finances and potential conflicts of interest of candidates who are raising and spending this much money, Neubieser argued.
“We really want to hold space for reds in Chittenden County in this cultural moment we are in, post Charlie Kirk assassination,” said Lincoln Earle Centers, a local organizer of the event and the Vermont State coordinator of the organization.
The Vermont Republican Party is heading for a leadership showdown as Joe Gervais, an Arlington resident and party activist, announced he will challenge incumbent chair Paul Dame for the top job.
High school freshman talks about community organizing and attending Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona.
According to several witnesses watching from a nearby hotel porch, including Chester GOP Chair Roy Spaulding, Sen. White repeatedly spoke the phrase into a microphone during the rally, encouraging others to join in – which many did.
In the first half of 2025, “Courage PAC,” linked to Balint, received thousands in donations from PACs connected to major corporations, per its latest FEC report.
When the State budget ballooned from $6 Billion to $9 Billion Republicans said we have to be careful about our over-reliance on federal money, because it will require either higher taxes to keep federal programs in place once the money is gone – or we will have to start cutting these programs. Neither of these ideas are discussed in the report.
In New England and New York, where about 40% of voters voted for Trump, Republican members of Congress are quite rare due to gerrymandering.
“The detractors list two main bullet points, both of which I contend are at least misleading and at worst downright falsehoods,” Dame said.
Vermont is home to five active and distinct political identities: Vermont Democrats, Vermont Progressives, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Vermont Republicans, and Vermont Libertarians.
Four legislators will give the low-down on the 2025 session at a popular restaurant.
“Vermont’s top export category is semiconductor manufacturing, and this deal secures new sources of funding and investment for plants like the one in Essex Junction,” Dame said.
Sanders pointed to potential repercussions for those who disagree with Trump, noting, “In five minutes, they will be announcing a primary to your election.”
Her mother said the sign was the seven-year-old girl’s own idea.
Someone wished Donald Trump a very unhappy birthday Saturday on the State House lawn.
Supporters of Trump say they plan to attend, and will wave signs depicting the iconic ‘Fight Fight Fight’ photo of Trump moments after he was shot in Butler, PA.
The American Flag is 248 years old, adopted on June 14, 1777. President Trump’s birthday is June 14, 1946, he will be 79 years young. The United States Army was born 250 years ago on June 14, 1775. “That is a lot to celebrate,” Thayer said.
Earlier this year, Sanders joined Vermont officials Becca Balint and Peter Welch on a virtual call urging renewed activism.
The 30 ‘No Kings’ demonstrations in low-population Vermont are the most per-capita in the nation.
Bernie: “And then you get to what we call identity politics. You’re black?, ‘you’re wonderful, you’re tremendous.’ You’re gay? ‘You’re the greatest human being on earth…’ Rather than say ‘what do you stand for?’ You’re gay? That’s fine, who cares?”
Trump’s MAGA Party took over the entire Republican Party and enforced internal party discipline by using political threats and intimidation to stamp out all dissent
Before music performer Clairo’s performance Saturday evening, he made a surprise appearance at Coachella, urging young festival-goers to stand up against ‘economic inequality, climate change, and threats to women’s rights.’
“As a Republican who supports women’s rights, LBGTQ community, local farmers and loggers, our manufacturers and other great Vermont businesses, the free press, United States Constitution and the rule of law, I am appalled with what the Trump administration is doing to our state and our country,” said John Rodgers to the crowd of around one thousand protesters gathered in Montpelier.
The young man told VDC he had previously wandered through the crowd where he heard someone say “I hope he dies” and another person say “I hope they hang him.”
SANDERS: No, you want to do nonsense. Do nonsense.
Hanlon, who grew up in the Northeast Kingdom community, returns to Vermont after working on campaigns in Pennsylvania and at the Democratic National Committee.
“Senator Sanders is focused on fighting oligarchy and ending authoritarianism in America. He found the song’s lyrics reprehensible and distracting from the crises that we need to be focused on right now.”
Vermont Dems push back against Musk in the courts and on the street.
A website photo of Indivisible members visiting with a staffer at the Vermont office of Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vermont) seems to validate at least some of Dore’s claim.
The challenge stems from voter checklist errors that resulted in Pownal residents receiving ballots for the wrong House district, an issue brought to light after the November 5 election, in which Democrat Jonathan Cooper unofficially defeated Republican Bruce Busa by 23 votes.
As the challenger to incumbent House Speaker Jill Krowinski pleads for Republican support, an influential columnist and former GOP State Chair calls on the House GOP caucus to run their own candidate.
“Many of us returning this biennium may share feelings of frustration from the last term. Yet, during those moments, I found myself in conversations with the Speaker, candidly expressing my concerns…..”
Legislation designed to rescue American students from the ideology of far-left academia.
Not gonna happen.
The newly elected Senate minority leader and former naval aviator is a ‘pragmatic problem solver,’ VT GOP Chairman Paul Dame said.
“I sweated in places I never knew I could sweat. My knees. My elbows. Even my good hand was dripping wet,” said Nielsen of speaking to an audience for the first time ever.
Paul Dame explains why and how the red tsunami seemingly came out of nowhere and obliterated the Legislature’s veto-proof blue supermajority.
In a race pitting one farmer against another, former Democrat Rodgers hopes to topple incumbent and former Progressive David Zuckerman.
The traditional Democrat Party is dead. It’s gone. Progressivism has absorbed it. Progressivism is a euphemism for today’s postmodern-Socialism.
When the wheel did come off, he heard a large screeching noise and was able to pull off the road just in time. He said just a small piece of one remaining bolt was the difference between it coming off completely while still in traffic.
The ad marks a rare olive branch between what has sometimes been a bitter divide between Trump’s supporters and the governor’s more mainstream positions.
A Washington County Senate candidate, stymied by Front Porch Forum censorship, now uses another neighbor-to-neighbor social media platform.
Democrat former Governor Shumlin writes: “I have worked with John Rodgers for many years. I trust John and I know that he has the best interests of Vermonters at heart.”
“At best, Bray’s actions reflect poorly on his ethical judgement as they created the appearance of a conflict of interest,” Dame said. “At worst, they are indicative of an actual conflict of interest.”
The mostly GOP signs violated the law regarding sign placement and highway right of way, she explained.
Despite the endless news claims that “Trump is Hitler” I saw literally thousands of Jewish people and many of them wearing “Jewish voices for Trump” merch.
Chris Keyser, son of former Governor Ray Keyser, is taking on a powerful leader of the House Democrat supermajority.
“You would have been shocked at the positive response in this supposed left leaning section of Vermont,” organizer Rebecca Pitre said of a recent sign wave in Chittenden County.
By contrast, GOP incumbent Paul Clifford co-sponsored two bills to repeal the Global Warming Solutions Act.
“Our public institutions cannot afford an extended political stalemate,” Sibilia said.
“There she goes again. Katherine Sims is trying to hide her record.” writes Douglass on October 12 in his response to Sim’s post.
The Balint campaign took $1 million from a PAC set up by disgraced crypto financier Sam Bankman-Fried.
Roll call – how did YOUR legislator vote in the veto session on statewide property tax, etc.?
“They asked if we would ban assault weapons,” Rodgers said. “In my mind an AR-15 semi automatic is not an assault weapon. I own several of them and would not support a ban on their sale.”
“The southern border, I went there to see it myself, back in ’22. It was horrific, absolutely horrific. You could look across and see the rape tents.”
Hooper has been critical of Supermajority leadership and voted to sustain some of Scott’s vetos and override others.
There is a reasonable, affordable and reputable solution. Expand what Vermont already has…the Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program (W.A.P.).
The shoe of elitism just doesn’t fit John Rodgers: it is time for Dave Zuckerman to pick up his glass slipper and put it back on his own foot where it belongs.
When I have approached Rep. Stephanie Jerome to discuss concerns about health insurance, rising costs, and increased administrative burdens on businesses, good jobs for our children that aren’t in government or hospitals, she has not been helpful in any way.
Without my knowledge or consent the editors at the paper substantially re-wrote my piece and published it under my name, which is, I believe, highly unethical. It is certainly dishonest.
If elected, I pledge to be a “NO” vote on the “Clean Heat” carbon tax and any bill raising costs to heat our homes. Both incumbent senators twice voted for this home heat carbon tax system and voted twice to override Governor Scott’s veto.
Cavendish residents are hoping the former magician can work some magic to get taxes and spending under control in the State House.
The editor – moderator went to the Whitingham event two years ago. The audience, the candidates, and the food were all delightful and he’s looking forward to meeting old friends Thursday night.
Israel has a right to defend itself against the terrorists who attacked it, says the combat veteran running against the would-have-been conscientious objector.
I wasn’t planning on running. What changed my mind? I got my property tax bill!
“Dave and the Progressives have made it unaffordable to live in Vermont,” said Rodgers. “I am worried about my grandkids being able to work and afford a house here.”
“Since there are more than two (2) signs posted on your property a building permit is required,” the Bullis Family Farm was told.
“Andrea will stand with Gov. Phil Scott to ensure he has the support he needs to sustain his vetoes, maintaining an effective check and balance on our legislative body,” former Gov. James Douglas said.
“RFK Jr. rightly acknowledged what we know to be true: that the Democratic Party establishment has made the DNC the party of deception, censorship, corruption, big pharma, big tech, big ag, and big money,” Coester said.
In the course of my short campaign for the State Senate to date, I have been the victim of the train of thought that all Republicans are alike.
The key roll call votes driving up property taxes, energy costs, health insurance premiums and more.
Trump’s past comments on immigrants seem hypocritical, especially given his family’s, VP’s backgrounds.
This as Charity Clarke has not made any indication of how aggressively she will defend the taxpayers of Vermont in the Global Warming Solutions Act lawsuit.
The GOP needs to win 52% of its House races to give Gov. Phil Scott veto support.
As the Democratic National Convention opens, Rep. Becca Balint is tweeting her concern for the high cost of housing.
