Vermont Business Magazine Rights & Democracy is announcing the endorsement of 17 candidates—from U.S. Senator to the Vermont House of Representatives—for the 2018 elections. These 17 candidates were endorsed by a vote of the Rights & Democracy (RAD) Board of Directors to show support for candidates who have championed key legislative issues such as raising the minimum wage, workers’ rights, universal health care, and racial equity, among other top concerns facing Vermont communities and families. Several of these candidates were backed by RAD in 2016 and not only won their election, but pushed hard for legislation that improves the lives of Vermonters.
“A Rights & Democracy endorsement is a signal that a candidate is a leader on the issues that reflect RAD’s values,” said Alison Nihart, Co-Chair of the Rights & Democracy Board. “A RAD endorsement comes with the expectation that elected candidates will work with RAD on legislation of mutual interest. In that way, it’s more than just an election year activity–it’s the start (or continuation) of a working relationship.”
In the coming weeks, Rights & Democracy members will review and vote on whether to endorse an additional slate of House, Senate, and statewide candidates who request a RAD endorsement. The results of those endorsements are expected to be released on July 30th.
Here is the full list of RAD’s currently endorsed candidates:
Statewide Candidates
Bernie Sanders (U.S. Senate) (incumbent, previously endorsed in 2016 presidential primary)
David Zuckerman (Lt. Governor) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
State Senate Candidates
Dustin Tanner (FRA-Senate) (new candidate, RAD leader on Raise Up Campaign)
State House Candidates
Mari Cordes (ADD-4) (challenger, previously endorsed)
Barb Wilson (ADD-RUT) (new candidate, RAD Health Care Justice team member)
Kiah Morris (BENN 2-2) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Scott Campbell (CAL-3) (challenger, previously endorsed)
Selene Colburn (CHI-6-4) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Brian Cina (CHI-6-4) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Diana Gonzalez (CHI-6-7) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Kate Larose (FRA 3-1) (new candidate, RAD member)
Mike McCarthy (FRA-3-1) (challenger, previously endorsed)
Kelly Cummings (FRA-6) (new candidate, RAD Health Care Justice team member)
Cindy Weed (FRA-7) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Susan Hatch Davis (ORA-1) (challenger, previously endorsed)
Heather Stevenson (RUT 5-1) (new candidate, founding RAD Rutland member)
Gina Ottoboni (RUT-WDR 1) (new candidate, RAD member)
Tom Stevens (WAS-CHI) (incumbent, previously endorsed)
Emilie Kornheiser (WDH 2-1) (new candidate, RAD member)
In the statewide elections of 2016, RAD endorsed 37 candidates and 20 won their elections, including Attorney General T.J. Donovan, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, State Senators Debbie Ingram and Chris Pearson, and State Representatives Selene Colburn, Brian Cina, Kiah Morris, and Cindy Weed. RAD recommended an additional 12 candidates for election, and of those 7 won.
Rights & Democracy is a bi-state grassroots organization in New Hampshire and Vermont. Our mission is to bring people together to take action in building healthy communities and to ensure the values of our communities guide the policies of our government. We are building a popular movement to advance rights and create true democracy.
