Abbey Duke. LinkedIn photo.
Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his appointment of Abbey Duke, of Burlington, to fill the vacant Chittenden-17 seat in the Vermont House of Representatives. Duke replaces Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, who resigned last month after becoming Mayor of Burlington.
“I appreciate Abbey for her willingness to get involved and serve the people of Burlington,” said Governor Scott. “Her experience as a successful small business owner will add a valuable perspective to the House.”
“It’s an honor to be selected, and I’m looking forward to serving all of my neighbors to the best of my abilities in Montpelier,” said Duke.
Duke is the founder and CEO of Sugarsnap, a leading catering company in the greater Burlington area. She also serves as the chair of the Burlington Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission.
Duke’s appointment is effective Monday, May 6. She was selected from a list of several candidates forwarded by both the Democratic and Progressive parties of Burlington. Duke was on the Democratic list.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she was a 1992 graduate of Macalester College with a BA in Biology, and a reporter for the Burlington Free Press from 1997-2000.
Mulvaney-Stanak ran as a Progressive for mayor, but only ran in the Democratic primary in 2022 and served as a Progressive/Democrat in the House. Scott said at the time of her resignation from the House that he would choose from either of those two parties. The governor is not legally beholden to any party in these appointments, but by tradition has chosen someone from the same party.
Mulvaney-Stanak said in a statement: "The voters of Chittenden-17 elected and reelected a Progressive to the House of Representatives, and this appointment does not reflect the will of our constituents. I do wish Representative Duke well as she begins her service in the legislature, and I am happy to collaborate with her as she serves the remaining six months of the term."
Source: 5.6.2024. Governor. Montpelier, VT 05609-0101 | www.vermont.gov
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