Legislative Endorsements
LEAHY: EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz will provide effective leadership on issues like good-paying jobs, affordable housing and childcare, and a clean environment that matters deeply to the people of Arlington, Manchester, Sandgate and Sunderland. I hope you will join me in supporting their candidacy. – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
WELCH: A GREAT TEAM WITH THE RIGHT VALUES AND VISION
Kathleen has demonstrated her commitment to the people of her district through her extraordinary work on their behalf the last two years. I served with Seth when he was previously in the legislature and know what a level-headed, thoughtful, and effective leader he is. This is a great team with the right values and vision for Bennington-4, and they have my heartfelt support. – U.S. Rep. Peter Welch
INDEPENDENT LEGISLATORS ENDORSE US
We are independent legislators from Southern Vermont. We ran as independents because we are not ideologues; we simply want to get things done for the people we serve. As such, we must always work with Democrats, Republicans and Progressives in the legislature in order to bring about practical solutions to issues important to our Southern Vermont constituents like broadband, school funding, marketing Vermont’s tourism sector, clean air and water, economic development and increased housing stock. Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz have well-earned reputations as dedicated public servants who work well with others, seeking practical solutions to get things done. They are independent thinkers who, like us, simply want to produce real results for their district. Like us, they also understand they must work honestly and respectfully with others in the legislature to get things done. We support their election and hope you will too. They are the kind of leaders we need in the legislature. We look forward to collaborating with them on the issues that mean so much to this part of Vermont. — Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover), Rep. Kelly Pajala (I-Londonderry)
Senators Brian Campion and Dick Sears (Bennington County)
Seth Bongartz and Rep. Kathleen James will be an effective and respected team for Arlington, Manchester, Sandgate and Sunderland in the statehouse. They’re dedicated to this region and have a long history of working hard and collaboratively with others. In her first term, Kathleen made her mark as an advocate for education, broadband expansion, the climate economy and tourism. And Seth has led the way on tourism, conservation, affordable housing and other vital issues as a leader at Hildene, the Shires and the Manchester Community Land Trust. — Senators Brian Campion and Dick Sears (Bennington County)
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIR ENDORSES BONGARTZ AND JAMES
Being an effective legislator requires a lot more than a degree in economics. It requires flexibility and patience and a willingness to listen to others.
It’s easy enough to get quoted in news articles by seeming to buck convention in the name of principles. It’s much more difficult to get legislation passed that addresses the very real needs of Vermonters. Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz (who I know from his earlier time in the legislature) have the skills we need in these challenging times. – Rep. Janet Ancel (Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means)
ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE CHAIR SUPPORTS JAMES AND BONGARTZ
I’m writing to ask the voters of Arlington, Manchester, Sunderland, and Sandgate to again elect Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz as their state representatives. Kathleen has quickly become a leading voice, someone that other legislators turn to, on issues important to young families – improving access to childcare, advocating for more workforce housing, and sponsoring a paid family leave system in Vermont. As the Chair of the House Energy & Technology Committee, I’ve worked closely with Kathleen on two issues she identified as priorities her first day in office: expanding access to broadband and tackling climate change. We need her back in Montpelier because she’s a passionate advocate for her communities and she’s doing great work for Vermont.
I’m excited to have Seth again serving in the legislature. His reputation as a community leader and consensus builder reverberates well beyond Manchester. From his legal career and conservation work, to his leadership at Hildene, to his community service as Manchester town moderator and Burr & Burton trustee, Seth is the kind of problem solver we desperately need in Montpelier. Having represented Bennington County communities in the State House at the beginning of his career back in the 1980s, Seth is no newbie to the legislature and will hit the ground at a sprint.
We need strong, compassionate leaders in state government. Thank you for electing Kathleen and Seth as your state representatives. — Rep. Tim Briglin (D-Thetford, Chair, House Energy and Technology Committee)
FORMER REP. JEFF WILSON: Yes to Bongartz and James
With a big election fast approaching, I’m happy as a clam at high tide to support Kathleen James and Seth Bongartz in their respective quests to become the Northshire’s next State Representatives.
Kathleen has impressed me right from the get-go, when she was first elected to the House in 2018. It goes without saying that I like her on the issues, but I am also a big fan of her approach to the job. Her commitment, energy, enthusiasm and responsiveness help to make her an exemplary legislator.
Seth, a Manchester native, has checked all the right boxes to make him an outstanding Representative. His intimate knowledge of the district and its people, dovetail nicely with a very impressive, well rounded resume. As a former legislator, environmentalist, lawyer, President of Hildene and Chair of the BBA Board of Trustees, he has the full package.
In my book, there’s no better place to live and work than Vermont. However, like most other states, we have a number of daunting challenges that lie on the horizon.
Post pandemic recovery, future fiscal stability, health care cost containment, climate change, affordable child care and economic opportunity are just a sampling of the important issues which will require our best and brightest. So now, more than ever, we clearly need leaders and legislators who can serve Vermonters as collaborative and constructive problem solvers.
Thankfully, we have James and Bongartz ready, willing and able to answer the call. They have my vote on Nov. 3. — JeffWilson, Manchester
