The Aug. 11 party primaries in Vermont have plenty of contested races attracting attention. Here's a rundown of who is on the ballot in the Democratic, Progressive, and Republican primaries.
Statewide offices
• Governor: Amanda Janoo of Burlington and Aly Richards of Montpelier are running for the Democratic nomination for governor.
The winner will face incumbent Gov. Phil Scott, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination, in the Nov. 3 general election.
• Lieutenant governor: Esther Charlestin of South Burlington, former Lt. Gov. Molly Gray of Burlington, and Ryan McLaren of Essex Junction are vying for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.
The winner will face current Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination.
• State auditor: A three-way race in the Democratic primary will determine who will succeed outgoing State Auditor Doug Hoffer, with Tim Ashe, assistant auditor and former state senator of Burlington; Nicholas Graeter, of Williston; and Dan Towle, of Huntington all vying for the nomination.
• U.S. Representative: U.S. Rep. Becca Balint is unopposed in the Democratic primary, as are State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and Attorney General Charity Clark.
The Republican primary features a two-way race for the U.S. House of Representatives with two candidates who ran in 2024 - Mark Coester of Westminster and Gerald Malloy of Weathersfield - seeking the party nomination to challenge Balint in November.
• Other offices: Perennial candidate H. Brooke Paige of Washington is again running for multiple offices - treasurer, auditor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
The Progressive Party is fielding candidates for just two statewide offices in their primary, with Zachary Hampl of Rutland Town running for state treasurer and Rachel Shaw of Bennington running for secretary of state.
Vermont House of Representatives
There are several contested primary races in Windham County for state representative.
• Windham-3 (Rockingham, Westminster, and Brookline, two seats): There are a pair of three-way races for the two Windham-3 seats now held by incumbent Democrat Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun of Westminster and outgoing Rep. Leslie Goldman of Rockingham.
In the Republican primary, three Rockingham residents - Nicole Amanda Cota, Ryan Coyne, and Patrick Dezafra - are vying for the two spots on the November ballot.
Bos-Lun, Chris Lundberg of Rockingham, and Stephen Major of Westminster are the Democratic candidates in Windham-3.
• Windham-8 (Brattleboro): In the primary contest to fill the seat of retiring Windham-8 representative Mollie Burke of Brattleboro, former Selectboard member Daniel Quipp and Ken Fay are running for the Democratic nomination, while William Harvey seeks the Republican nomination.
• Windham-Windsor (Athens, Grafton, and Windham): William Hoser of Chester is running for the Democratic nomination for the Windsor-Windham seat. Incumbent Rep. Thomas Charlton of Chester is again seeking the Republican nomination.
• Uncontested Republican nominees: Other Republican candidates on the primary ballot for the House include Nancy Gassett of Vernon (Windham-1), Lynn Wilkins of Putney (Windham-4), Aaron Smith of Brattleboro (Windham-7), and E. Stuart Coleman (Windham-Windsor-Bennington).
• Uncontested Democratic nominees: Incumbents Zon Eastes of Guilford (Windham-1, Guilford and Vernon), Mike Mrowicki of Putney (Windham-4, Putney and Dummerston), Emily Long of Newfane (Windham-5, Townshend, Newfane, Marlboro), Emily Carris Duncan of Whitingham (Windham-6, Wilmington, Whitingham, and Halifax), Emilie Kornheiser of Brattleboro (Windham-8, Brattleboro), Ian Goodnow of Brattleboro (Windham-9, Brattleboro), and Chris Morrow of Weston (Windham-Windsor-Bennington, which includes the town of Londonderry) are all unopposed for the Democratic nomination in their respective districts.
Vermont Senate
• Windham District: In the Republican primary, Dale Gassett of Vernon and Rusty Sage of Brattleboro are both running.
Incumbent Sen. Wendy Harrison of Brattleboro and Sen. Nader Hashim of Dummerston are unopposed for the Democratic nomination for the two Windham County seats.
• Bennington District: There is a three-way for the two Bennington County seats, which also include the Windham County towns of Londonderry, Stratton, Somerset, and Wilmington.
Incumbents Seth Bongartz of Manchester and Robert Plunkett of Bennington are being challenged by Amy Moore of Pownal.
In the Republican primary in that district, Lawrence Whitmire of Shaftsbury and Josh Williams of Arlington are both running.
Other races
In Windham County contests, Sheriff Mark Anderson, High Bailiff Angela Lawrence, State's Attorney Steven M. Brown, Probate Judge Jodi French, and Assistant Judges Carolyn Partridge and Lamont Barnett are all unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
This News item by Randolph T. Holhut was written for The Commons.