Candidates

In 2010, longtime Progressive activist Anthony Pollina became the second Progressive elected to the State Senate. He is running for reelection this year in the three-seat Washington County Senate district. Anthony has over three decades of involvement in agriculture, education, energy, and healthcare organizing in the state. He is a co-founder of Rural Vermont, former director of VPIRG, former policy advisor to Bernie Sanders, and was the Progressive candidate for Governor in 2000 and 2008.

In his first term, Anthony served on the Committee on Health and Welfare, where he helped shepherd through the state’s landmark healthcare reform bill, and on the Government Operations Committee. Anthony was a key advocate on important issues such as proper funding for autism care, buying and hiring local, and the Genuine Progress Indicator as a progressive alternative to traditional measures of economic success. Follow Anthony's campaign at his web site.

Bob is a Retired USAF officer, and served for twenty years as a navigator, Strategic Plans Officers, and Squadron Commander. He is a graduate of Norwich University. Currently Bob is a bus driver, and previously spent five years working in Federal and County corrections, and five years as a counselor, primarily in drug and alcohol treatment.

Bob is a Lister and Zoning Administrator in his Town of Franklin. He serves on the MVU School Board, volunteers with Meals on Wheels, and served on Franklin Rescue and the board of the Franklin Homestead Carriage House.

Bob will focus his campaign on preserving local control in education; infrastructure improvements; and supporting the development of new income streams for farmers and foresters.

Sandy Haas is running for re-election to represent the towns of Bethel, Pittsfield, Rochester, and Stockbridge. First elected in 2004, Sandy is the Vice-Chair of the Human Services Committee, and sits on the Government Accountability Committee, Corrections Oversight Committee, and Legislative Committee on Judicial Rules. Sandy and her committee spent a lot of time this session working on how the state will deliver mental healthcare post-Waterbury. She has also been a leader on end-of-life issues, such as advance directives and palliative care.

John Taylor of Williamstown will be running alongside Susan Hatch Davis in the two-seat district representing Chelsea, Corinth, Orange, Vershire, Washington, and Williamstown. John is a fifth-generation Vermonter experience in education and three decades of service in State government. Jobs, wages, and housing are priority issues for Taylor, in addition to getting the State's financial picture in shape. "I think affordability starts with an economy that is built on more than attracting big box stores or chasing after manufacturers to relocate here. We need to encourage home-grown 21st century employment options that reflect our children’s education and that will allow them to stay and prosper here."