Vermont Business Magazine More than 25 current and former elected officials have today signed an open letter urging prospective candidates to reject the corporate two-party system and run with the Vermont Progressive Party in 2026.
The letter, signed by local lawmakers and former officeholders from across the state, points to mounting frustration with Democratic inaction on core issues like healthcare, housing and climate. It urges bold, values-driven leaders to stop waiting and start building something better.
“The Democratic Party is not going to save us,” the letter reads. “The only way forward is to build something better.”
The signers argue that Vermont is uniquely positioned to lead a new wave of people-powered politics, pointing to the state’s successful third party infrastructure.
“While progressives in other states are considering runs as independents, fighting alone against the two-party establishment, Vermont has built a real alternative: a party that refuses corporate donations, stands for universal healthcare and housing for all, and isn’t afraid to call out the failures of the status quo.”
With national leaders like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling out the “corporate duopoly” on their Stop Oligarchy tour, Vermont’s Progressive leaders say the time to act is now.
The Vermont Progressive Party has a decades-long record of winning elections up and down the ballot and remains the largest and most successful third party in the country.
It’s Time to Break Free from the Two-Party Trap. Run as a Progressive.
For decades, working people have been told the same story: that real change can only happen within the confines of the two-party system. That if we just elect the right Democrats or, push a little harder, and wait a little longer, they will finally deliver for us. But time and again, that promise has been broken. And while corporate-backed Democrats hesitate, hedge, and compromise, the far right is seizing power and stripping away fundamental rights.
Enough.
The Vermont Progressive Party offers a different path, one that working people across the country wish they had. While progressives in other states are considering runs as independents, fighting alone against the two-party establishment, Vermont has built a real alternative: a party that refuses corporate donations, stands for universal healthcare and housing for all, and isn’t afraid to call out the failures of the status quo.
And we need more people to join us.
We are calling on bold, principled leaders to step up and run for office as Progressives in 2026. If you believe that government should serve people over profit, if you’re tired of waiting for Democratic leaders to act, if you’re ready to build real political power outside of a system designed to shut us out, this is your moment.
Look at what’s happening nationally. Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are crisscrossing the country on their “Stop Oligarchy” tour, urging people to challenge the corporate duopoly. People are hungry for something different. And here in Vermont, we already have it. We don’t have to start from scratch. We have the infrastructure, the platform, and the history of winning elections against both corporate Democrats and Republicans.
This isn’t just about making a statement. It’s about winning real power. We’ve seen what happens when progressive Democrats get elected and don’t have a party that truly has their back. The pressure to conform, to compromise, to play by the establishment’s rules is overwhelming. But by running as Progressives, we can create a coalition of elected officials who can boldly govern, legislate, and fight for the policies that working people need.
The Democratic Party is not going to save us. The only way forward is to build something better.
If you’ve ever considered running for office, now is the time. Join us. Be part of a movement that isn’t beholden to corporate donors, that won’t sell out the working class, and that understands that change doesn’t come from the top down. It happens when people demand better and refuse to accept the limits imposed by a broken system.
Vermont has led the way before. Let’s do it again.
In Solidarity,
Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, Chittenden Central
Sen. Anne Watson, Washington
Rep. Kate Logan, House Progressive Caucus Leader
David Zuckerman, Former Lt. Governor
Anthony Pollina - Former State Senator, Washington County
Jacob Hemmerick - Former Barre City Mayor
Timothy Maciel - WSESD School Board
Yva Nolan - Former WSESD School Board
Carter Neubieser - Burlington City Councilor, Ward 1
Gene Bergman - Burlington City Councilor, Ward 3
Marek Broderick - Burington City Councilor, Ward 8
Joe Kane - Burlington City Councilor, Ward 2
Jack Hanson - Former Burlington City Councilor, East District
Zoraya Hightower - former Burlington City Councilor, Ward 1
Jane Stromberg - former Burlington City Councilor, Ward 8
Kathy Olwell - Former Burlington School Board
Tom Nolan - Dummerston Selectboard
Sue Buckholz - Former State Representative
Monika Ivancic - Burlington School Board
Bill Hunsinger - Ripton Selectboard
Jamie McCallum - ACSD School Board Member
Kate Bailey - Former South Burlington School Board Member
Ron Makleff - ACSD School Board Member
Zachariah Ralph Watson, Former State Representative
Robert Millar, Winsooski School Board
Aurora Hurd, Winooski City Council
Source: Montpelier, Vt. — April 7, 2025 — Anthony Pollina. Chair, Vermont Progressive Party
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