Stepping into the Fray: A new generation of Vermonters run for state office
State14: True Stories From Today's Vermont
By Liz Schroeter Courtney | Posted: Aug 4, 2020
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Anyone paying attention to American politics these past few years should recognize the swell of young people, women, and people of color stepping up to run for office in the wake of our coronation of a game show host as our commander in chief, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, in the wake of so many Black lives cut short by police brutality, and certainly now as we’re grappling with the economic fallout of late stage capitalism mixed with the coronavirus. A new generation seems ready to take charge.
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I exchanged emails with Taylor Small, a trans-woman running for the Winooski House seat. I spoke with Katherine Sims, whose endorsement I’d seen from Rights & Democracy, running for House for Orleans-Caledonia in the Northeast Kingdom. And when I asked the Vermont GOP who’s on their slate of candidates that doesn’t match the typical old white male profile, I was introduced to Levar Cole, a Black man who moved to Vermont a few years back with his wife and five young kids to trade the stress of Washington, DC for farming and living a more intentional life. Like Kate MacLean, he’s running for an Orange-1 Representative seat.
Honestly I could have had a lot more conversations with folks who are breaking demographic norms and dipping into state politics for the first time. And that mere fact is awesome.
But I’ll stop talking now, and let these candidates speak for themselves.
On Campaigning During a Pandemic
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“As the first out transgender legislator, I know that I will face both benign and overt forms of transphobia and xenophobia. I will need to confront the ever-present prejudice from ‘established’ legislators. To hold a marginalized identity while running for office is difficult, but the discouraging fact is that these hurdles do not disappear when elected; they are constant. It takes resilience to do this work and that is draining. The silver lining to all of this is community; it is the antidote that helps me continue to push onward.”
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On the Issues (what would you most like to “fix”?)
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“If I could ‘fix’ one thing about Vermont, it would be to make healthcare affordable and accessible for all. We need to move away from the structure that ties health insurance to employment, and instead move to a single-payer system. We have known this for years, as our very own Bernie Sanders preaches this change nationwide.”
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On the Love of Vermont
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“Vermont holds a special place in my heart. This state has provided me the opportunity to explore who I am and the privilege to share my authentic self with others. Moving back to Vermont allowed me to find my community, learn, grow, and give back. This is my home.”
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The Vermont primary election is Tuesday August 11. If you want to vote early or avoid contact on election day, you can request a ballot online. Check your voter status, poll location, view sample ballots and more at mvp.vermont.gov
