Reelect Burlington Progressives
For over 40 years, an unbroken stream of Progressives have served on the Burlington City Council. Let’s help them get reelected in 2026!
GENE BERGMAN FOR WARD-2
About Gene
I’ve been active in the party since its founding, especially in Burlington. I served 3 terms as a Progressive city councilor under Bernie and Peter Clavelle and now as a 2-term councilor hoping to be reelected for another term. I was a 20-year assistant city attorney under two Progressive mayors and one Democratic mayor. I’m currently our Progressive Councilor Caucus’ chairperson.
I’ve been active in Vermont’s community-based movements for justice since the 1970s. I was an organizer for People Acting for Change Together (PACT) (tenants and welfare rights), a leader of the union at the Burlington Free Press (Graphics Communications International Union-AFL-CIO), and an activist with the Peace & Justice Center (anti-nuclear, Central American Solidarity, and PJC board). I also have been a leader in the faith community at Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.
I’m most proud of the concrete work I’ve done to blend electoral and community political work.
As a Councilor, and with community support, I helped make the city more affordable, especially on taxes and housing and making the Burlington waterfront open to all the people instead of being an enclave for the rich. Together, using my leverage as an elected official, we’ve fought climate change and improved our environment in too many ways to list. We’ve built a robust democratic framework in Burlington through things like ranked choice voting, all legal resident voting for local elections, and defending the right of the people to petition to put critical issues of concern on the ballot.
While I’ve worked mostly in Burlington, the times demand I try to engage on a much bigger field.
It is clear to me there is a huge need for an effective Left political party in Vermont, one organically linked to the community’s movement for justice and democracy, capable of winning elections, and able to use the power of government to advance our shared values wherever and however we can.
CARTER NEUBIESER for WARD-1
About Carter
Carter is finishing his first term on Burlington's City Council representing Ward 1 and is running for re-election. He lives in Burlington with his wife and two kids and has spent nearly a decade building electoral power for our collective movement, recruiting and supporting dozens of candidates for local and state office. His day-job is working as a labor organizer with the VT State Employees Association. Previously he has worked on a number of electoral campaigns including Bernie 2018 & 2020, served as Lead Fundraiser for 350Vermont, as Development & Operations Deputy Director for New Hampshire Youth Movement, and was a founding board member of Run on Climate.
Statement
Between 2018-2024 rents for a 1 bedroom increased by 34%; for a 2 bedroom by 28%. The median sale price of a home in BTV is ~$550,000. The cost of necessities like food, utilities, and healthcare are expensive. Trump is focused on spats with Canada that hurt our local tourism dollars. The Governor and Democratic Leadership in Vermont are more focused on gutting public education than they are taxing the rich to make record investments in permanently affordable housing.
During my first term I introduced, championed and passed resolutions that supported unions in contract fights, increased money going to affordable housing, and strengthened our local democracy.
Over the next two years the city has a chance to be as bold as possible in making Burlington affordable for working and middle-class residents - that's exactly what I plan on doing.
MAREK BRODERICK for WARD-8
About mareK
My name is Marek Broderick, and I am running for reelection to Burlington’s City Council in Ward 8 on March 3rd. It has been an honor to serve our city during my first two-year term, and I am seeking to continue representing Ward 8, and continuing our fight to put people and planet before profit.
As a proud progressive, I know that for our city to work for everyone, it must be one we can all afford and thrive in. Over the last two years, I have fought to enforce tenant protection laws on our college campuses and beyond, stop the privatization of Burlington's recycling, and rezone Burlington to build abundant housing.
I am proud to represent Burlington because Burlington is my home, and the work isn't done. If I am reelected this March, I will continue to fight to make Burlington a city we all can call home.
Statement
It is no secret that Burlington is unaffordable for the majority of its residents. As the councilor representing Burlington’s most renter-heavy ward, I have fought to create abundant housing for all and protect tenants’ rights. Housing shouldn’t be a commodity sold off to the highest bidder. It should be a human right.
As a student myself, I’ve centered the needs of our university students and fought for my constituents on the council floor. Students deserve real representation in Burlington, not empty promises.
In my second term, I will continue to fight to make Burlington a city we can all afford.
LAURA SANCHEZ-PARKinsON FOR WARD-3
About laura
Raised in Mexico by working-class parents, Laura helped run her family’s small businesses. After immigrating to the U.S., she became the first in her family to vote, an experience that cemented her commitment to civic engagement.
Since making Burlington home with her partner and two children, Laura has become deeply involved in the community. She serves on the Sustainability Academy PTO, coaches youth sports, and advocates for diverse educators in our public schools.
Laura has spent her career breaking down systemic barriers across the social, philanthropic and educational sector. She has spent over fifteen years in workforce development and higher education, creating access and opportunities.
A strong supporter of representative political leadership, Laura is now ready to bring her experience and expertise to the City Council, working to ensure Burlington is a city where everyone can afford to live, learn, and work.
BILL STANDEN FOR WARD-7
About Bill
I'm 28 from Stratham, New Hampshire but made Burlington my home in 2016 when I attended Champlain College. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity from Champlain College. At the same time, I served a 6 year contract with the Army Reserve that ended in 2023. I've played video games since I could hold the PS1 controller and while I'm absolutely no good, basketball is my favorite way to stay active in the summer and fall. I've also taken to walking all over the wooded foot trails in the NNE finding our natural hidden gems.
I am running for Ward 7's City Council seat because I see a prosperous 2-years for the NNE if we can stop ignoring the obvious deficiencies of our geography. Ethan Allen Shopping Center is our economic heart in the NNE and it is being starved by poor infrastructure and a lack of new opportunities for development. North Ave is expected to carry ALL of the traffic for two wards of our city including pedestrian, commercial, construction, and municipal traffic. Adding more housing units is obviously something we all need to focus on during this housing crisis but if we ONLY build more housing then it is just going to get more expensive to build housing. We need to actually use our limited land strategically so we don't end up stagnating in a cycle of chopping up larger homes into smaller homes to fit more people. Of course this strategy will be better informed when the people of Burlington are actually allowed to answer related questions on the ballot.
Bill is the Chittenden County Chair of the Vermont Progressive Party.