By Guy Page

With the August, 2026 primary  just four months away, the candidates for plum political jobs, and the politicans who are backing them, are taking shape. This weekend saw an endorsement in the Chittenden County State’s Attorney contest and a gubernatorial campaign launch set for later today.

Attorney General Charity Clark has endorsed a candidate in the race for Chittenden County State’s Attorney, offering early backing in what is expected to be a competitive August primary.

In a statement, candidate Bram Kranichfeld said Clark’s endorsement reflects confidence in both their record and campaign vision, noting the attorney general has seen his work firsthand. The campaign emphasized a platform focused on unity and reform, with priorities including fairness, effectiveness and transparency within the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Kranichfeld, who is running against controversial, George Soros-backed incumbent Sarah George also acknowledged early narratives portraying the race as negative and divisive, but expressed confidence that a “positive, issues-based, inclusive movement” will resonate with voters. The campaign is expected to continue seeking additional endorsements in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the architect of the state’s publicly-funded child care law, Aly Richards, is set to formally enter the race for governor, with a campaign launch event scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Newbury Village Store, according to today’s Journal-Opinion. 

Richards, a Newbury native and Oxbow High School graduate, previously served as CEO of Let’s Grow Kids and as a policy director for former Gov. Peter Shumlin. Her campaign highlights a career focused on improving outcomes for children and families, including leading a decade-long effort to expand access to affordable child care and helping pass Vermont’s universal pre-kindergarten law in 2014.

Let’s Grow Kids was instrumental in passing Act 76 in 2023. Funded by the state’s first ever payroll tax, the program created by Act 76 funds childcare statewide.

According to her campaign, Richards will outline her reasons for running and call for change in Vermont during the Newbury event, which will also include remarks from parents and business leaders. Attendees will be offered free “Rally for Aly” ice cream sundaes, coffee and snacks.

Additional launch events are planned later today at Barr Hill and Tuesday at Burlington Beer Company. The campaign said it will follow the launch with a statewide spring tour, with events planned in all 14 counties.