Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship, for the Hinesburg Record
While many people are focusing on the race for governor this year, there are also many competitive races for the Vermont legislature that are worth voters’ attention.
Two candidates are running for the seat being vacated by incumbent Rep. Phil Pouech, a Democrat. Democrat Kelsey Pasteris and independent John Kingston are seeking to represent Hinesburg in the Vermont House of Representatives.
John Kingston, of Hinesburg, is running as an independent. Kingston is a former business executive who was CEO of Butternut Mountain Farm as well as COO and CFO of Lake Champlain Chocolates.
On his campaign website, he emphasizes the balance between responsible government and compassion. He says he recognizes the need for state governments that take care of vulnerable populations while also providing an opportunity for all Vermonters to stay in their state and flourish.
Kingston says that pragmatism is what sets him apart.
“A 40-plus year business career helping companies grow and succeed has taught me that critical thinking, along with the courage to question and challenge, allow for the best decisions and outcomes,” he said. “I plan to apply that pragmatic approach to improving everyday life for Vermonters.”
Pasteris is a registered nurse of 13 years from Hinesburg who has lived in Vermont since 2018. She believes her work experience has provided her with the compassion, work ethic, and adaptability necessary to excel in the House.
In op-eds and on her campaign website, Pasteris says she wants to help alleviate the high cost of living, high property taxes, and rising cost of education.
Pasteris’ key priorities include stable housing for all Vermonters, better access to healthcare, and encouraging young people to plant roots in the state.
“My goal is to make it easier for Vermont families who work hard and love life in Vermont to stay here,” she said. “The passion and commitment I bring to this mission drive all my efforts to represent Hinesburg in Montpelier.
“Like many Vermonters I lead an active and busy life with a young family, a career, and an active presence in our community,” she said. “I believe you deserve that kind of enthusiastic representation and I believe I am the right candidate to do it.”
There are six candidates running for three state Senate seats representing the Chittenden Southeast District: incumbent Reps. Thomas Chittenden, D-South Burlington; Virginia Lyons, D-Williston; and Kesha Ram Hinsdale, D-Shelburne.
They are being challenged by Republicans Bruce Roy, Javen Sears, and Rohan St. Marthe.
Thomas Chittenden has served as a state senator since 2020. A lifelong Vermonter, Chittenden is a senior lecturer at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. Chittenden is vice chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and is on the Committee for Economic Development. On his campaign website, he emphasizes economic growth and housing affordability.
Chittenden told Shelburne News that he will “advocate for modernizing land-use and zoning regulations to encourage sensible infill development, expanding municipal water/sewer infrastructure strategically, and creating targeted financial incentives to keep starter homes affordable for young families and workers.”
Virginia “Ginny” Lyons has served in the state Senate since 2001. A former biology professor, Lyons chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. According to the Vermont General Assembly website, Lyons’ legislation focuses on policies that reduce “trauma and toxins negatively affecting children and human development” and support healthcare reform for universal access, affordability and better quality.
Recently, Lyons sponsored bill S.190, which pushed for healthcare reform by creating a set price for individual medical procedures. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Phil Scott in June.
Kesha Ram Hinsdale made history in 2020 as the first woman of color elected to the state Senate, and serves as the Senate majority leader. Ram Hinsdale teaches at Vermont Law & Graduate School, according to the state General Assembly website.
On her campaign website, she emphasizes labor rights and environmental protections. She has worked on family-oriented causes like creating homeownership opportunities, advancing paid family and medical leave, and expanding early and higher education access. She also advocates for reforms to both the criminal justice system and the healthcare system.
One of the Republicans challenging these incumbents is Bruce Roy of Willison, who is retired from two simultaneous 30-year careers at IBM and the Vermont Air National Guard.
Roy emphasizes affordability and working with Gov. Scott to lower taxes, according to his campaign website.
He says he is concerned with improving local business conditions and controlling excessive government spending.
“I’m an average guy who will go to Montpelier to fight for Vermont taxpayers. I’ll speak and act for my constituents,” Roy wrote in an email.
“No PACs gave me money. I’m not endorsed by any special interest groups. I don’t care to be the next VT Senate President Pro Tem or Majority Leader. My only motivation is to make Vermont better, with an affordable and brighter future for us, our parents, our kids, and our grandkids,” he wrote.
Republican Rohan St. Marthe of Jericho is a videographer and CEO of Rebirth The Media LLC.
He said he is a husband and a dad who wants to build a Vermont where his children and grandchildren can stay, work and raise their own families.
He pledged to “follow the money, cut wasteful spending, lower taxes, end the drug epidemic, and hold criminals accountable.”
He said he is especially concerned about the rights of retired Vermonters, and he wants to ensure that Social Security taxes do not price them out of their homes.
He said he did not want to get involved in politics, but that Vermonters deserve better.
“That is why I am the better choice: I will put Vermonters first and fight to make Vermont affordable again,” he said.
Javen Sears is a 24-year-old South Burlington native and University of Vermont graduate. According to his LinkedIn page, he is an associate at Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies. He also serves as vice president of a local youth football program, Dolphins Foundation.
According to his campaign website, Sears is running in order to give back to his community by addressing issues of high taxes, insufficient spending on education, and unaffordability throughout the state.
Further, the candidate has urged for education reform, in which families can choose where their child goes to school. On his campaign website, Sears emphasizes limiting government involvement in peoples’ lives, instead advocating for the protection of individual autonomy and freedoms.
Election day this year is on November 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Hinesburg Town Hall.