The Vermont Democratic State Committee recently elected Jake Perkinson to the position of Vermont Democratic Party Chair and Dorothy Deans to the position of Vermont Democratic Party Vice Chair. Perkinson, who was the Vermont Democratic Party Vice Chair, has been serving as Acting Chair since former VDP Chair Judy Bevans stepped down in July. Upon Perkinson’s election as Chair at this morning’s State Committee meeting, the committee called an election for a new Vice Chair to fill the vacancy created by Perkinson’s election, during which Deans was elected. Perkinson and Deans will serve the remaining two months terms for their respective posts. Both have expressed that they will seek election to full two-year terms in November.
Dorothy Deans has been an active and loyal member of the Vermont Democratic Party for years. In 2007, she was elected Town Chair of Pomfret in Windsor County. In 2008, Deans was the recipient of the David W. Curtis Award for outstanding Vermont Democrats. In 2009, she was elected Windsor County Chair. Deans also serves on the 2012 Affirmative Action Delegate Selection Committee.
Deans is a graduate of Green Mountain College with an AA in Education and the University of Denver with a BA in Elementary Education. Before returning to Vermont in 1984, Deans taught first and second grades for 14 years in Denver, Colorado. In 1999, Deans became involved in HIV/AIDS activism, first as a volunteer and then as a paid staff member with the HIV/HVC Resource Center. After serving as board chair from 2008-2011, Deans serves the center as a member of the board.
