Vermont Economist and Policy Leader Calls for a Bold New Vision of Affordable Housing, Universal Healthcare, No Forced School Closures, and an Economy That Works for All
Vermont Business Magazine Amanda Janoo, a local economist and policy leader, today announced her candidacy for Governor of Vermont – with a bold vision in which all Vermonters can afford to live, go to school, go to the doctor, raise their family, feel safe, and pursue their dreams in this beautiful place we call home.
Janoo will begin her campaign in her hometown of Strafford on Tuesday before heading to Burlington on Saturday, March 14 for a kickoff event. Following the launch, the campaign will travel across Vermont to hear directly from residents in all 14 counties.
Janoo was born and raised in rural Vermont, where neighbors show up for one another and community is a way of life. She grew up attending Strafford town meetings with her family and credits those experiences with shaping her belief that democracy and the economy work best when the people have real power over the decisions that affect their lives. Janoo has dedicated her life’s work – in Vermont and around the globe – to helping governments build more resilient, people-centered economies that actually work for communities, not just the wealthy and powerful.
In a statement released today Janoo said:
“I’m running for Governor because I refuse to accept that collapse is inevitable or that the best our government can do is manage decline. We deserve a hopeful vision for the future and a plan to get there together. I’m running because too many Vermonters are working harder than ever but can’t afford to live here anymore. Housing, healthcare, and basic costs are pushing people out of the communities they love. In Vermont, neighbors show up for each other, and I believe we can build an economy that does that too – one that meets people’s basic needs and gives communities real power to shape the future.”
Janoo says the goal is simple: build an economy that works for people and communities that are strong and resilient in the face of the challenges ahead. Her platform includes:
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Rejecting forced school consolidation by getting at the root driver of costs: healthcare.
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Free primary and preventative healthcare by bringing small-town doctors back to communities across Vermont, and laying the foundations for a universal healthcare system.
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Creating permanently affordable housing that keeps homes in Vermonters’ hands.
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Supporting small businesses, farmers, and cooperatives so more wealth stays local.
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Expanding and reinvesting in Vermont’s town meeting systems.
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Stewarding Vermont’s land and ecosystems for generations to come.
Janoo says her campaign is about more than policy proposals. It is also about strengthening the social fabric that has long defined Vermont – and running a fundamentally different kind of race. The 14-county listening tour that launches alongside the campaign is the first step in that effort, giving Janoo the opportunity to hear directly from residents before asking for their support.
“In a time of growing loneliness and polarization, social connection is not a luxury – it’s essential,” Janoo said. “Our campaign is about building a movement based on connection and resilience, not just winning votes. If it’s not fun, it’s not sustainable. We want this to feel like something Vermonters genuinely want to be part of – not just another political campaign. I want to make sure that every Vermonter has a friend or a neighbor looking out for them right now. If this campaign leaves Vermont more connected, more organized, and more prepared for what’s ahead – that’s a victory worth fighting for.”
An economist, community advocate, and policy leader, Amanda Janoo has dedicated her life’s work – in Vermont and around the globe – to helping governments build more resilient, people-centered economies that actually work for communities, not just the wealthy and powerful. A graduate of Newton Elementary, Hanover High School, and Macalester College, she went on to become a Fulbright researcher and study development economics at the University of Cambridge before working with governments, international institutions, and the United Nations in various countries.
In 2018, Amanda moved home permanently and co-founded the Wellbeing Economy Alliance of Vermont (WEAV), a broad coalition working to transform the state’s economy into one that is sustainable, inclusive, and benefits all Vermonters. Before deciding to run for office, Janoo served on the Board of the ACLU of Vermont and was a Steering Committee Member of the Fund Vermont’s Future Initiative, a coalition working to reform Vermont’s tax system so it is fairer, more affordable for working families, and able to fund the services Vermonters rely on, from schools and healthcare to housing and climate resilience.
Janoo grew up in Strafford, VT and now rents in Burlington.
To watch Janoo’s campaign launch video CLICK HERE. To see her campaign website, click here: www.janooforvt.com.
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