Rey Garofano
Rey Garofano (Democratic) of Essex Town is an incumbent Vermont Representative representing the Chittenden-23 district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly, and works as State of Vermont employee and have served as state Representative for 3 terms.
Campaign site
What is one part of Vermont’s economy or cost of living that needs greater attention from elected officials?: “Vermont's economy is at a crisis point. If I had to pick one part, I would say the cost of health care. We need to continue to focus on lowering premiums, deductibles, and prescription drug costs. I have supported such efforts in my last three terms and will continue to work to make the Vermont health care system more affordable and sustainable.”
“Yes. I have voted in favor of the steps we have taken and acknowledge that consolidation alone will not solve our expensive education system. I believe the policies we have passed in the last two years will put us on a path to a more sustainable, predictable education funding system, while protecting a high-quality public education.”
“As we move towards a foundation formula, I support the legislature taking greater responsibility for establishing spending levels.”
Erik Post
Erik Post is a Democratic candidate for the Vermont House of Representatives in the Chittenden-23 district in the November 3, 2026 general election, residing in Essex Town, Vermont, where Erik's background includes work in I am a career civil servant, a Certified Public Manager, and a Justice of the Peace.
“To an extent. It does make sense to me to consolidate some of the districts in the name of cost-sharing and increasing access to services, especially in areas where it makes geographic sense for schools to be partnered, but we must maintain some semblance of local control so that residents aren't having every decision thrust on them by some faceless, unaccountable bureaucracy.”
“I don't know. I would have to research the issue further and listen to expert testimony. Would granting the state that power simply pave the way for one centralized, statewide board of administrators? I don't think Vermonters would appreciate that very much.”
“My wife is a public school teacher, so I may be a bit biased here, but I think Vermont's public schools are doing a generally decent job in the face of ever-increasing challenges. Beyond the budgetary pains, educators are having to contend with significant behavioral issues, the deleterious effects of AI in the classroom, student population instability, etc.”
Lynn U. Smith
Lynn U. Smith is a Republican candidate for the Vermont House of Representatives in the Chittenden-23 district in the November 3, 2026 general election, residing in Essex Town, Vermont.
· Vermont Secretary of State (2026 Qualified Candidate Listing)
Campaign site
“I was born and raised in North Carolina, completed a BA in Piano Pedagogy in South Carolina then moved to Vermont as a new bride. I've lived in Vermont for 46 year with 34 of those years in the Town of Essex.”
(Ballotpedia (secondary source)) “Solving as many problems as possible at the local and county level will reduce bureaucracy and overreach from state government. Education reform: not only should the cost of education be addressed, we need to simplify the system to be able to address systemic problems that are responsible for declining test scores and low graduation rates.”
(Ballotpedia (secondary source))