Transitions
Progressives -
I wanted to let you know about some big changes coming to the Vermont Progressive Party. I will be transitioning out of my role as Executive Director on July 4th.
I came into this role from the labor movement, and am excited to be joining the staff of the Vermont State Employees Association – one of the most impactful unions in our state. Working people are under attack like never before, and the need for a powerful labor movement is clearer than ever.
It has been an incredible honor to serve our movement in this capacity over the past nine years, and I will continue supporting our movement in a variety of ways for as long as there is work to be done.
We will be providing more information on the transition process soon, but right now I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect a bit on what our collective movement has achieved together while I have been in this role, and the road ahead.
Our movement is a collective one, and all our victories and setbacks are shared by everyone who has joined our fight for justice over the years.
I am so proud that together over the past nine years our collective movement has:
Elected the first Progressive to the office of Lt. Governor
Rebuilt our Progressive base in Burlington and returned a Progressive to the office of Mayor
Endorsed and elected dozens of candidates at the local and state level
Doubled our fundraising and budget from 55k to 120k a year
Updated antiquated data, communication, and finance systems
Funded an additional year round staff position
Created new and permanent member driven committees on Organizing, Elections, Fundraising, Communications, Data & Technology, Internal Polices, and a Local Elected Progressive network.
And… I am so proud that we have engaged hundreds of new people in our work who were not aware that we existed 10 years ago.
We have a lot to be proud of, but also a lot of work that still needs to be done as our state and nation heads towards crisis. Society is rapidly moving towards an oligarchic form of government, democratic norms are being undermined, working class people are under attack like never before, and austerity looms large over our communities.
If we are to successfully fight back we will need to use every tool at our disposal and double down on organizing across Vermont. We must grow our presence in the VT Legislature in 2026, strengthen our relationships with movement organizations, support issue organizing, strengthen our network of local elected Progressive leaders, continue to grow our party finances, and grow our base of active membership across our state.
We are well positioned to do this work. Vermonters are sick and tired of establishment politics and know that more of the same from Democratic and Republican leadership will only drive working people further off the cliff. People are looking for the alternative, and our work ahead must focus on delivering a clear, uncompromising, and winnable vision for economic, social, and environmental justice for all people in our state.
To do this, all of us will need to continue engaging in this work. Our movement's power to make change has never been derived from one person, one election, or a specific elected official. Our power comes from all of us uniting in solidarity to fight for a better future for all people year after year no matter what.
Thank you for all you have done for our movement over the years. I look forward to continuing the fight with all of you for the long-haul.
In solidarity,
Josh Wronski
Director, Vermont Progressive Party
