The Vermont Progressive Party, widely recognized as the most successful third party in the country, has elected four new officers, three new at-large members and five new regional advisers to its Coordinating Committee.
Former State Rep. Bill Hunsinger (pictured), of Ripton, will serve as chair, succeeding former state Sen. Anthony Pollina, of Middlesex, who stepped down earlier this month. Hunsinger's election signals a strategic shift for the party, focusing on rural representation and moving away from "fusion" candidacies with Democrats.
Joining Hunsinger on the leadership team are Cindy Weed, of Ensoburg Falls, a state representative and self-employed woodworker, who will serve as vice chair; Carter Neubieser, a Burlington city councilor and labor organizer at the Vermont State Employees' Association, secretary; and José Aguayo, of Montpelier, rural broadband technical assistance specialist at the Vermont Community Broadband Board, assistant secretary.
New at-large members are: Gene Bergman, of Burlington; Antonio Golan, of Burlington; and Jaiel Pulskamp, of Worcester.
New regional advisers are: Eli Carini, of Hartland, representing South East: Windom, Windsor; Adam Norton, of Montpelier, representing Central: Washington, Orange; Kim Gabbert, of Vergennes, representing South West: Bennington, Rutland, Addison; Marilyn Hackett, of Franklin, representing Northern: Essex, Orleans, Franklin, Calendonia, Lamoille; and Kate Bailey, of South Burlington, representing Chittenden-Grand Isle.