By Michael Bielawski
The House primary races are already shaping up for this August in Vermont. The current legislature is polling at just 49% approval meaning there could be some changing seats this November election. The primaries are on Aug. 13 for Vermont.
The whole list of candidates for House and Senate so far as of May 21 can be seen here. Highlights include some newcomers to Statehouse politics, and some appear to be disgruntled citizens ready for tangible changes in public policy. There are also more candidates running for the majority party who are further advancing the green agenda and more social justice.
Caledonia-3 has two conservatives running
There will be two Republicans running for two seats in the Caledonia-3 district with John Simons of Sheffield and former Representative Martha Feltus from Lyndon will run again after last serving in 2022.
Simons wrote in a letter to the Caledonia Record about how the state is moving in the wrong direction.
“Many times over different discussions we heard ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’ I own 40 acres that look into every sunset and I thought I’d live out my days here but now? I think we broke it, we must use logic when we make our next decisions because we aren’t going to get many chances to do this right,” he wrote.
Feltus’ voting record is posted at the Ethan Allen Institute, she seems to support GOP efforts to protect the economy, Second Amendment rights, and other conservative causes.
Chittenden-22 liberal candidate pushing climate/social justice
Incumbent Democrat Lori Houghton of Essex Junction City is runningagain for the Chittenden-22 district seat, a two-member district. Houghton says she is serious about tackling systemic racism and promoting equity.
Her website states, “Now is the time to address the institutional and systematic racism that harms and traumatizes Black and Brown Vermonters, Indigenous, People of Color, as well as undermines the free, full expression of all of us. To dismantle systematic racism and centuries of oppression, we must work both individually to educate ourselves and collectively to transform institutions – every Vermonter has an important role in this.”
She is running with incumbent Rep. Karen Dolan, D-Essex Junction. Her website states, “Karen’s 20+ year career in Vermont’s non-profit sector, provides a broad understanding of services from food security expansion and work readiness programming to criminal justice reform and restorative conflict resolution.”
Bennington-4 District conservative candidate says “citizens losing trust”
Joe Gervais of East Arlington is running as a Republican for the Bennington-4 District, s a one-seat district. Gervais has a comprehensive campaign page up already. He says that change is urgent.
“The past few years have amplified the crisis our republic is facing,” he wrote. “With citizens losing trust in government, schools, healthcare and media. I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution and I bring a servant’s heart along with honesty, transparency and the leadership skills necessary to make Vermont and America great again.”
Caledonia-4 District incumbent GOP touts economic development
Rep. John Kascenska of Burke is running as a Republican for re-election in the Caledonia-4 district, which is for two seats.The former lawmaker is running for the seat now held by Republican Terri Williams, who is not seeking re-election. The career college educator’s website recalls his work during the 2022 session. “This included historic economic development legislation to address healthcare shortages, training experiences to create career changes and upskilling for workers, and the provision of forgivable loans for businesses to get them back on their feet,” the site states.
Chittenden 20 conservative candidate says no to carbon taxes
Doug Wood of Colchester is running as a Republican for the Chittenden 20 District. Wood had some unkind words for the Global Warming Solutions Act that requires mandates for carbon-free energy in heating, transportation, and electric production.
He wrote on his campaign website, “Today, 71 percent of Vermonters oppose any carbon tax/fee/surcharge on gasoline and diesel, 59 percent strongly oppose it. So, current lawmakers, why didn’t you listen to your constituents for a change?”
He also wrote, “Save the taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars and forget about paying extra to study a policy nobody wants, save several million dollars by scrapping the Vermont Climate Council that doesn’t do anything, and save us hundreds of millions by abandoning any thoughts of putting a carbon tax on our motor fuels that we can’t afford.”
Rutland-3 has a “Ronald Reagan” candidate
Chris Brown, who has five and a half years’ employment with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, will run as a Republican for the Rutland 3 district.
He writes on his webpage, “My strong Republican principles align closely with those of Ronald Reagan, emphasizing that less government leads to better governance, and that capitalism and free enterprise can lift everyone if given the opportunity to thrive. I firmly believe that reducing burdensome tax policies can stimulate economic activity and boost revenues.”
Lamoille-Washington has two Democrat incumbents coming back
Two familiar Democrats are running for two seats in the Lamoille-Washington district.
“David Yacovone, a Morristown Democrat, has decided to run for his old seat after sitting out one biennium. He will join incumbent Rep. Saudia LaMont, also a Democrat from Morristown, on the campaign trail,” the News & Citizen reports.
Washington-Orange has two returning GOP candidates
Rep. Gina Galfetti, R-Barre Town, and Rep. Francis “Topper” McFaun, R-Barre Town are each running for reelection in the Washington-Orange district which has two seats.
Windsor seat has GOP challenger
V.L. Coffin, a U.S. Army retiree and Bronze Star winner, will seek the Republican nomination for the Cavendish/Weathersfield House seat now held by Democrat John Arrison, who is not seeking another term.
The entire list of candidates for House and Senate who have submitted petitions to the Vermont Secretary of State thus far as of May 21 can be seen here. The fiiling deadline is May 30.
In order for a major party candidate to appear on the primary ballot, consent of candidate and financial forms must be filed by Thursday, May 30, 2024. Major party candidates may also be nominated by party committee in order to be placed on the General Election ballot in November, in the event their party does not nominate a candidate through the Primary. The statements of nomination, financial disclosure and consent of candidate forms must be filed by the designated political party committee no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, August 19 (six days after the Primary), the Secretary of State’s office says.
News of announced House candidates not listed above may be sent to news@Vermontdailychronicle.com.
The author is a writer for the Vermont Daily Chronicle