By VDC staff

Technology executive Bryan Ponnwitz of Fletcher has announced an independent write-in campaign for Vermont governor, adding another candidate to the field challenging Republican Gov. Phil Scott in the Nov. 3 general election.

Scott, seeking a sixth two-year term, will face Democratic nominee Amanda Janoo and independent candidate Brian Judd of Barre, as well as other minor-party candidates. Ponnwitz’s name will not appear on the ballot; voters supporting him must write in his name. Current candidate listings identify Ponnwitz as a registered write-in candidate.

Ponnwitz said Vermont’s education and housing problems, and their effect on affordability, are at the center of his campaign.

“Vermont’s education crisis and housing crisis are converging, and together they are pricing Vermonters out of their own state,” Ponnwitz said. “I have spent my career taking struggling organizations and turning them into modern, disciplined, and accountable ones.”

Ponnwitz has worked in technology for more than two decades, including executive positions overseeing retail, aviation and logistics systems. He began his career repairing educational technology equipment for schools before moving through engineering and management positions to vice president roles.

Ponnwitz and his wife moved from Atlanta to Fletcher in 2022 and live there with their youngest daughter. He said his lack of party affiliation is deliberate and that he wants to bring an engineer’s approach rather than a political background to state government.

“You start by understanding how things actually work on the ground, you build a disciplined team around a clear goal, and you hold yourself accountable for results,” Ponnwitz said.

Janoo won the Democratic nomination in August, while Scott easily secured the Republican nomination.