John K. Benson
John K. Benson (Republican) of Brookfield is an incumbent Vermont Senator representing the Orange district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly. Senator Benson is a professional engineer, graduate of Vermont Technical College and a long serving public servant for the town of Brookfield.
Campaign site
“I am honored to serve the people of Orange County and grateful for the opportunity to represent our communities in the Vermont Senate. Orange County is defined by the strength of its towns, the independence of its people, and the many farms, small businesses, and rural enterprises that help sustain our local economy and way of life.”
(Campaign Website) “My roots in Vermont are strong. After graduating from Vermont Technical College, I began my engineering career and returned to Orange County in 1974 to join the Randolph firm DuBois & King.”
(Campaign Website) “Service, community, and family have always been an important part of my life. My home is in Brookfield, where my wife and I have lived for the past 50 years and raised two sons, I served more than 35 years with the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Department, including 28 years as Fire Chief.”
(Campaign Website)Monique Priestley
Democratic / Progressive · Incumbent
Monique Priestley (Democratic / Progressive) of Bradford is an incumbent Vermont Senator representing the Orange district in the 2025-2026 General Assembly, and works as Occ: State Rep, Consultant; Service: Capstone Community Action, Green Mtn Econ Dev Corp.
Campaign site
What is one part of Vermont’s economy or cost of living that needs greater attention from elected officials?: “Tax modernization. We tax land and labor, but we barely touch wealth, digital services, or property owned by people who don't live here.”
“Generally, no. Almost everyone I've talked to in my local education districts agree that something has to change as our population shifts and costs keep rising.”
“No, not if the state holds complete control. The Agency of Education has not demonstrated that it understands the nuances of local schools, particularly in our most rural towns.”