While I’ve called Vermont home for over half my life, I grew up in a small town along the Hudson River, about an hour north of New York City.

My dad was the son of immigrants who came to the U.S. in search of a better life. His parents—my grandparents—believed deeply in the power of education as a positive, transformative force for individuals and communities.

My mom’s family, too, stressed the importance of education as both a critical foundation and a force for progress and independence. Both my parents passed down this belief in the power of education to me and my two older brothers.

My parents also forged in all of us a life-long independent spirit, and led by example. In her forties, my mom followed her dream by going back to school for a degree in library science. My dad owned his own real estate appraisal business, which he built from only a few employees to a large and successful company. Then, in his fifties, he went to night school to get a law degree, while still running the business.

My brothers and I all have a passion for music— another positive force that my parents nurtured in us!

Why I’m Running

I am so thankful for the strong foundation and the many other opportunities I’ve had throughout my life.

I want to work to ensure that families across Vermont are able to build a strong foundation for their children to help them pursue their dreams and succeed in their chosen path.

Toward this end, and in other ways, we have made notable progress in Vermont on many fronts, including creating an equitable public education system, protecting the environment, supporting young families, and codifying reproductive rights.

However, there is still much to be done to build on this progress.

I am ready to bring my strengths to Montpelier to tackle challenging and pressing issues, such as the climate crisis, housing affordability, equitable access to healthcare, and a vision for public education in Vermont.

My last 46er hike, Haystack Mountain in the Adirondacks

In Vermont, our community-sized state, individual voices can still be heard.

This means it is truly possible to understand and solve problems together, for the benefit of all.

I hope you’ll join me in this effort.

Rep. Mari Cordes and I on our 1st day gathering signatures to appear on the primary ballot in Addison-4