Vermont Business Magazine Today Brenda Siegel of Newfane entered the Democratic primary for governor. She made the announcement from the State House Steps in Montpelier, where last fall she and Josh Lisenby slept for 27 nights to successfully demand that the current administration reinstate the GA Motel program that shelters Vermonters experiencing homelessness.
Representative Kevin “Coach” Christie (Windsor 4-2) said this about Siegel’s leadership, “Brenda brings a team focused, high-quality management skill set to this office. Brenda has been heavily involved in politics and activist work, locally, statewide and nationally. Brenda has a life long history of being a community leader. She has spent her career bringing forward creative solutions to problems and has been successful sitting down at the table with many different players to implement a strong vision for the future and it is time to take her leadership to the next level. So, it is easy for me to offer my support for Brenda to become Vermont’s next Governor.”
"What I know is that COVID is a crisis that we all experienced, but it is not the only crisis that Vermonters are facing. Before COVID, there was already a Housing Crisis. There was already an Overdose Crisis. There was already a Climate Crisis. We need leadership to support all Vermonters; not just a select few," Siegel said. “For six years, the State Employees and our public school educators have faced uncertainty in their livelihood and their pensions with a Governor that is constantly trying to undercut their bottom line. These are the heroes of our state and they deserve better.”
"It is the call of our times to rethink everything and put our most vulnerable first. In the last few years, no political leader in Vermont has been a more active and powerful voice in calling for us to lead with our values. She is ready to invite a strong and talented team to support her administration and work alongside her to move Vermont forward,” said Representative Tristan Toleno (Windham 2-3).
As governor, Siegel said she will bring meaningful leadership and change to the Vermont that we all know and love. It is time to move away from the status quo and toward a brighter future for the people of our state.
Youth advocate and one of Siegel’s partners on housing advocacy, Addie Lentzner said, “Brenda Siegel is a fierce advocate for justice. From sleeping outside on the State House steps to holding press conferences to speaking at rallies. Brenda knows how to get things done, and she truly cares for the most vulnerable members of society. As Governor she will promote social justice and make our state a more inclusive and just place for all. I can not wait for Brenda Siegel to be the next Governor of Vermont“
Siegel said that she will implement a housing plan that is based on the assessed need with plans for emergency, transitional and permanent housing for all Vermonters. Siegel pointed to the housing crisis as one that has a huge impact on our communities and is affecting everyone from low income families and individuals to middle and even upper middle income families.
“This is a crisis that we let get so far out of control that fixing it will take a comprehensive proposal that addresses both long and short term needs."
Siegel’s nephew died of an overdose in 2018 and he was the son of her brother who died just over 20 years earlier also while using heroin. Siegel has been working to put Harm Reduction first, treatment and recovery on demand including medically assisted treatment on demand and dual diagnosis support. She has moved major legislation in the state as well as pushed to increase federal funding as well as work towards better federal laws to support access to buprenorphine, the life saving medication for people with substance use disorder.
Alderman Anna Tadio from Rutland City is excited to support Brenda because she is a leader on so many issues.
Said Tadio, “Brenda would make a phenomenal governor for the state of Vermont. She will fight for high quality affordable housing, health care for all, and to end the opioid epidemic. I trust Brenda to lead our state forward with transparency, creativity, and compassion. A vote for Brenda is a vote for a better Vermont!”.
Siegel said this is going to be a tough battle but not even close to the toughest one she has faced in her life.
“There are leaders all around us,” said Siegel. “And I know that when we work alongside one another, there is nothing that we can not do. I am here because I know that we must rise up together and I know that a tough fight for the people of this state is one worth having .We will succeed if we are all in. Together we ccan win.”