Molly Gray has hired Nick Atherton of South Burlington as her campaign manager, adding to a diverse team of Vermonters with deep experience in public service, community organizing and Vermont elections.
Atherton will provide strategic direction and policy insights from his years of public service, while overseeing press relations, daily operations, and volunteer mobilization.
“This campaign is focused on ‘every town and earning every vote’. From his prior work, there’s not a town, community or district that Nick Atherton doesn’t know,” Gray said. “Additionally, Nick shares the strong belief that our best politics come from meeting Vermonters where they are, building trust and strong organizing at the community level. I’m thrilled Nick is joining this team.”
Previously, Atherton worked as a city planner for the City of South Burlington. He has drawn legislative districts for the Vermont Legislature and worked for the State of Minnesota, where he fought for the representation of marginalized communities during the 2020 US Census. In 2022, he worked for Sarah Copeland-Hanzas during her successful campaign for Vermont Secretary of State. A lifelong Vermonter, he is a two-time Americorps member and got his start in political organizing with VPIRG. Nick is a graduate of Bennington College and grew up in Middlebury, Vermont.
“Molly Gray models what it means to be a dedicated public servant,” Atherton said. “Her years in state government and as the director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance give her the experience needed to be an effective leader in Montpelier, starting on Day One. Molly is the champion Vermonters deserve and I am honored to join her campaign.”
Nick officially joins the campaign team March 2, 2026 and will be based out of Burlington, Vermont.