By Guy Page

The opening shots in Vermont’s 2026 campaign season are taking shape, with sharp criticism in the governor’s race, a high-profile endorsement in the lieutenant governor contest, and a veteran lawmaker announcing her departure from the Legislature.

Vermont Republican Party Chair Paul Dame is criticizing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Aly Richards following her campaign launch, framing her candidacy as emblematic of broader Democratic policy priorities.

Richards led “Let’s Grow Kids,” a multi-year, $80 million campaign that resulted in a 2023 law creating the payroll tax to fund childcare in Vermont (at about $120 million per year). The Newbury native is also a former top aide to Gov. Peter Shumlin.

“With Aly Richards entering the race for Governor, Democrats have found the perfect figurehead for their party to demonstrate that Democrats want to expand government programs that benefit the few while taxing the many,” Dame said in a statement last week. He pointed specifically to Richards’ role in supporting the payroll tax tied to child care funding, adding that “many Vermonters will now be paying payroll taxes for the rest of their life for a benefit they will never get to take advantage of.”

Dame also contrasted Richards’ approach with proposals from Republican Gov. Phil Scott, arguing that Republicans had offered an alternative funding plan “without a new payroll tax.” He said Richards’ campaign “will demonstrate to voters that Vermont Democrats plan to continue to talk about affordability, but govern in a way that raises taxes on working Vermonters.”

Meanwhile, in the race for lieutenant governor, climate activist and author Bill McKibben has endorsed Democratic candidate Ryan McLaren, lending a prominent voice from Vermont’s environmental movement.

McKibben, a Ripton resident, founded 350.org, perhaps the nation’s leading climate change activist organization. Its Vermont chapter is a major player in Vermont climate policy, and had a headline role in the Changemakers Summit in Moretown Saturday. 

“Ryan has spoken out profoundly on renewable energy. His position papers on it are some of the finest I’ve ever seen,” McKibben said. “That’s the push Vermont badly needs if we’re going to do the things we need to do… We need young people working in the leadership of our state government. It’s time for change in this state.”

McLaren welcomed the endorsement, calling McKibben “one of Vermont’s most influential public voices.”

“Bill McKibben has spent his life reminding people that ordinary citizens can still do extraordinary things when they act with courage and conviction,” McLaren said. “I’m deeply honored to have his support.”

The developments come as the August primary approaches, with both parties beginning to define their candidates and messages on key issues including affordability, taxes and climate policy.