Molly Gray announces she will seek the lieutenant governor's seat in November, a post she previously held. The event was held Monday morning in Burlington. Gray campaign photos.
Surrounded by supporters, Gray calls this an 'all hands on deck' moment to protect Vermonters’ rights and make life more affordable for Vermont families
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Molly Gray, joined by her husband Mike, son Jack and dozens of supporters, formally announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor at Nomad Coffee in Burlington’s South End. Gray previously said she intended to do so.
Gray currently serves as Executive Director for the Vermont Afghan Alliance, a non-profit helping Afghan refugees resettle in Vermont, and previously served as Vermont’s 82nd Lieutenant Governor.
“I’m running for Lieutenant Governor to help protect the fundamental rights of every Vermonter, to lower costs, and to make life better for working families,” said Molly, who enters the race with the public support of over 50 current and former elected leaders from across Vermont, including President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate Phil Baruth, Senator Tanya Vyhovsky and Senator Andrew Perchlik.
Gray ran successfully for lieutenant governor in 2020. She then ran for Congress in 2022, to fill Peter Welch's House seat when he moved up to US Senate with the retirement of Patrick Leahy. Becca Balint beat Gray in the Democratic primary and went on to win the congressional seat.
If Gray were to win the Democratic primary she likely would face first-term Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers R-Glover), who has said he will seek reelection.
“Even with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, we’ve become one of the least affordable places to live. From diapers to daycare, and housing to healthcare—
everything is more expensive than it needs to be," she said. Gray is both a mom and a long-time caregiver to her mother, who battles multiple sclerosis.
Gray said, “As Lieutenant Governor, I will continue to champion affordable child care and elder care, universal paid family and medical leave, and urgent health care reforms—so every Vermonter can access affordable care, no matter where they live.”
Since 2023, growing and leading the Vermont Afghan Alliance, Gray has helped over 650 Afghan allies across Vermont access employment, driver’s licenses, housing, immigration legal services, and other supports—strengthening Vermont’s workforce, tax base and economy. Through that work, she said she’s been on the frontlines fighting back against the Trump Administration’s chaotic and cruel policies that are hurting Vermont families.
Samimah (whose last name is omitted for privacy reasons), a member of Vermont’s Afghan community, was one of two Vermonters to introduce Gray at the announcement.
“My experience with Molly is not unique within the Afghan community—she has been a fierce advocate in making us feel welcome and safe and fighting for what she believes we deserve—jobs, homes, basic food assistance and safety.”
Ilana Miller of Burlington also helped introduce Gray and spoke on the challenges of caregiving and affordability for young Vermonters.
“Vermont’s current care system simply wasn’t built for working people and families. Molly has experienced the demands of family caregiving and will stand up for proposals that will improve the quality of life for working families.”
Molly stressed that as Trump attacks the state and makes life even more unaffordable every day, it is critical that all state leaders are fighting together in unison for Vermont.
“Vermonters deserve a Lieutenant Governor who puts them first—and will fight every day for our rights, our families, and our future. That’s what you can expect from me,” Gray said. “Because right now, there’s not a moment to waste. There’s no waiting on the sidelines or putting personal interests first. There are no ceremonial offices. It is all hands on deck.”
Burlington. 1.5.2026. mollyforvt.com.
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