Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden (Democratic) of South Burlington is an incumbent Vermont Senator representing the Chittenden-Southeast district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly, and works as Senior Lecturer, UVM Business School.
Campaign site
What is one part of Vermont’s economy or cost of living that needs greater attention from elected officials?: “Growing Vermont's economy requires a proactive approach: making it easier to start and expand businesses, while inviting small, medium, and large employers to invest in our state. By expanding job opportunities, career pathways, and wage growth, we can directly elevate the quality of life for all Vermonters.”
“Maintaining 119 school districts is inefficient, indefensible, and unfair to students in micro-districts with under 100 kids, where low voter density and property values cap educational opportunities. However, we do not need to close local elementary schools.”
“I support a foundational education funding formula that guarantees every child a quality baseline education, provided the state gives comparably sized, regionalized districts the local option to fund additional voter-approved priorities. However, I strongly oppose setting the foundation formula at an artificially high national peak.”
Kesha Ram Hinsdale
Kesha Ram Hinsdale (Democratic) of Shelburne is an incumbent Vermont Senator representing the Chittenden-Southeast district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly, and works as Adjunct Professor, University of Vermont; Former Adjunct, Vermont Law & Graduate School.
Campaign site
What is one part of Vermont’s economy or cost of living that needs greater attention from elected officials?: “Housing, which I have tackled multiple years in a row through regulatory reform and affordable housing investments. Cost of living is a science, and I recommend to colleagues and constituents that they look at the Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator, which will show the basic costs in each county and demonstrates that Vermont's cost of living is simply out of reach for many working people.”
“I support steps taken to ensure we have a sustainable public education system in the first place. A functioning system implies that our kids have equal access to opportunity regardless of their geography and income, and that is still unfortunately not the case.”
“I do not think that is an accurate reflection of what the Foundation Formula is, which is utilized in 49 other states. It is ensuring that political leanings do not dictate a school budget, but every child is given substantially equal resources when generously weighted for different types of learning needs. I do support an accurate, meaningful Foundation Formula.”
Virginia "Ginny" Lyons
Virginia "Ginny" Lyons (Democratic) of Williston is an incumbent Vermont Senator representing the Chittenden-Southeast district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly, and works as Professor of Biology at Trinity College VT, CCV, UVM. School, CCTVBoard, Selectboard, JP, others.
Campaign site
What is one part of Vermont’s economy or cost of living that needs greater attention from elected officials?: “People should not have to choose between food, Rx drugs, health care, college tuition, time off from work. I will continue to work on these key health care issues to improve access and quality.”
“8.5-9.0 on a 10 point scale. Most kids who graduate from our public schools are successful.”
“No, I did not use AI to write responses.”
Javen Sears
Javen Sears is a Republican candidate for the Vermont State Senate in the Chittenden-Southeast district in the November 3, 2026 general election, residing in South Burlington, Vermont.
· Vermont Secretary of State (2026 Qualified Candidate Listing)
Campaign site
“Vermont needs smart economic policies that protect small towns, support local businesses, and manage housing without crushing residents. Vermont families deserve the ability to send their kids to schools where they can thrive. Small businesses are the backbone of our community and must be free to grow without burdensome regulations. A thriving local economy starts with supporting entrepreneurs, not overtaxing them”
(Ballotpedia (secondary source))Rohan St Marthe
Rohan St Marthe is a Republican candidate for the Vermont State Senate in the Chittenden-Southeast district in the November 3, 2026 general election, residing in Jericho, Vermont, where Rohan's background includes work in I am a Vermont retail operations manager and business owner with leadership experience and more.
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“I support education reform that reduces administrative costs and protects taxpayers, but not one-size-fits-all mandates from Montpelier. Consolidation must preserve local input, educational quality, and rural access. I support shared services and voluntary mergers where they make sense, with clear accountability and a funding system that does not place ever-growing costs solely on property taxpayers.”
“I support a stronger state role in setting responsible school-budget limits to protect affordability and prevent property owners from carrying an unsustainable burden. But I do not support eliminating parents' and communities' input in local education decisions.”
“Poor! Vermont has many dedicated educators, but we must better prepare students for life after graduation. I support parents' right to homeschool and want public schools to focus more on individual student needs, financial literacy, budgeting, credit, entrepreneurship, and career pathways. We should expand hands-on learning, trades, and career-and-technical education so every graduate has real options.”