Vermont House and Senate Democratic leadership endorses Brenda Siegel for governor

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Sierra Hayes
sierra@brendaforvermont.com
Info@brendaforvermont.com

Newfane, VT—Vermont House and Senate Democratic leadership all announce endorsement of Brenda Siegel to be Vermont’s next Governor.

Speaker of the House, Jill Krowinski, presided over one of the most challenging bienniums in state history “I’m endorsing Brenda Siegel for governor because she’ll fight for a Vermont that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few. I’ve worked with Brenda and know how passionately she cares about making progress on affordable housing and child care, saving lives by supporting those battling substance use disorder, and ensuring our pandemic response leaves no Vermonter behind. I’m proud to support Brenda and hope you’ll join me in voting for her in November!”

Krowinski became Speaker of the House with resounding support. Before that she was House Majority Leader and worked for Planned Parenthood and other issue organizations to make change in Vermont. Siegel is known in the State House as a fierce advocate who can sit at the table when there is a disagreement and help find a path forward. The issues that Siegel is most known for generally need strong tri-partisan support to make it across the finish line.

“Jill is a strong leader who always makes time to listen to advocates and regular Vermonters. I have seen Jill’s passion as she leads many times and I am honored to have earned her support in becoming Vermont’s next Governor.” Said Siegel

Both Assistant Majority Leaders in the Senate and the House have had to round up the votes for countless overrides as a result of an unprecedented amount of vetoes coming from this administration and both have had the opportunity to see Siegel at work on the kinds of complicated issues she would face as Governor. McCarthy said, “We need leadership that will work collaboratively with the legislature to serve Vermonters. Brenda Siegel has been effective at advocating for policies that will save lives of our neighbors struggling with substance use disorder, keep families in safe housing, and provide dignity for every working Vermonter. I would be thrilled to have Brenda Siegel as Vermont’s next Governor.”

Assistant Majority Leader in the Senate, Cheryl Hooker echoed this sentiment, “Brenda understands the needs of the struggling middle and low income Vermonters and is always ready to get to work, to make a better state for all of us. She is fearless, empathetic and incredibly knowledgeable about the work that must be done in the administration, the legislature and on the ground to support all Vermonters. She always comes ready with the data and information that we need to make strong decisions for regular families and never walks away from a difficult discussion until the work is done.”

Senate Majority Leader, Alison Clarkson, has joined Siegel in working on specific issues around housing and economic inequality, “Brenda is a strong advocate for increasing the minimum wage and passing a paid family and medical leave bill. I’ve worked with her on both of these issues and had the opportunity to see Brenda in action at the Statehouse.”

Siegel’s own State Representative and Senator are in leadership and have had the unique opportunity to see Brenda’s work on the ground in her community and in the state house, Senate Pro Tempore, Becca Balint weighed in l saying that, “Brenda leads with her heart. She has been a tireless advocate for issues so important to me and to all Vermonters: Housing, treatment and support for those with Substance Use Disorder and for working Vermonters.” House Majority leader Emily Long added, “Brenda is a fierce advocate for the needs of all Vermonters and her passionate leadership has helped her successfully win broad support on complicated issues that impact our entire state.”

“I have known Emily and Becca for a long time, both have a strong heart and drive to do what is right. I have been lucky enough to know them personally and professionally and they carry their communities and dedication into their work”. Said Siegel. She continued, “The necessary added work by our leadership team due to the current administration governing by veto is outrageous, it is unfair to the tax payers and the leaders that they choose to send to Montpelier. I have been impressed with the number of pieces of legislation this year that did or would have made a real difference to the lives of everyday Vermonters and to all of our communities from the Northeast Kingdom, to Brattleboro and to St. Albans. I look forward to working with the leadership team as Governor, to come together on these issues and make real progress for every Vermonter. I am deeply committed to creating a Vermont that works for All Of Us.”

Brenda Siegel is a housing and drug policy advocate, small business owner and founded a large ongoing project in response to Tropical Storm Irene to help rebuild the local economy. She teaches leadership, civic engagement and social justice in schools. She is Chair of the Newfane Democratic Committee and Delegate to the Windham County Committee. Siegel began her political work as an intern for Bernie Sanders in Washington D.C. in 2001. She sits on the State of Vermont’s Public Transit Advisory Commission as well as DCF’s General Assistance Program Working Group.

If elected this November, Siegel would be the second woman in Vermont’s history and the first openly LGBTQ person to serve as Governor of Vermont. More information about Siegel’s campaign for Governor can be found at www.brendaforvermont.com.

Read Leadership Members Statements Below:

Speaker Of The House Jill Krowinski: “I’m endorsing Brenda Siegel for governor because she’ll fight for a Vermont that works for all of us, not just a wealthy few. I’ve worked with Brenda and know how passionately she cares about making progress on affordable housing and child care, saving lives by supporting those battling substance use disorder, and ensuring our pandemic response leaves no Vermonter behind. I’m proud to support Brenda and hope you’ll join me in voting for her in November!”

Senate Pro Tempore Becca Balint: “Brenda Leads with her heart. She has been a tireless advocate for issues so important to me and to all Vermonters: Housing, treatment and support for those with Substance Use Disorder and for working Vermonters, I am proud to endorse Brenda Siegel for Governor.”

Senate Majority Leader Alison Clarkson: “I am pleased to endorse Brenda Siegel for Governor. Brenda has been has been a strong advocate for increasing the minimum wage and passing a paid family and medical leave bill. I’ve worked with her on both of these issues and had the opportunity to see Brenda in action at the Statehouse. Brenda has worked hard on alleviating the housing shortage, the opioid overdose crisis and for an economy that works for all of us. Join me is supporting Brenda Siegel to be Vermont’s next Governor”.

House Majority Leader Emily Long: “I have known Brenda and her family for many years and I have had the unique opportunity to witness her work both locally and across the state. Brenda’s efforts on issues like housing, the overdose crisis, climate change and her commitment to leaving no one behind drives her to stay at the table until the work is done. Brenda is a fierce advocate for the needs of all Vermonters and her passionate leadership has helped her successfully win broad support on complicated issues that impact our entire state. I hope you will join me in supporting Brenda Siegel to be Vermont’s next Governor.”

Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Cheryl Hooker: “Brenda Siegel understands the needs of the struggling middle and low income Vermonters and is always ready to get to work, to make a better state for all of us. She is fearless, empathetic and incredibly knowledgeable about the work that must be done in the administration, in the legislature and on the ground to support all Vermonters. She always comes ready with the data and information that we need to make strong decisions for regular families and never walks away from a difficult discussion until the work is done. I am proud to endorse Brenda Siegel to be Vermont’s next Governor”

House Assistant Majority Leader, Mike McCarthy: “We need leadership that will work collaboratively with the legislature to serve Vermonters. Brenda Siegel has been effective advocating for policies at the Statehouse that will save lives of our neighbors struggling with substance use disorder, keep families in safe housing, and provide dignity for every working Vermonter. I would be thrilled to have Brenda Siegel as Vermont’s next Governor.”

Image courtesy of Brenda Siegel

One thought on “Vermont House and Senate Democratic leadership endorses Brenda Siegel for governor

  1. It shows just how left VT democrat “leaders” are when progressive Phil is not acceptable to them. Not until the average Vermonter can’t afford to be here without government assistance will the left be satisfied.

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