Meet Your County Candidates!

With strong family ties to rural Vermont, and a knowledge of how State and local governments operate, I am committed to representing the best interests of the people of Cabot, Danville, and Peacham in Montpelier. Far too often rural areas are overlooked or passed over when considering the effects of policies and laws passed by the more robustly represented areas of our little state. Our voices must be heard. We can all benefit from change, but it should not be at the cost of our rural ways of life. We need to be able to maintain our agricultural roots and community based values while using common sense to allow for growth, affordability and sustainability

Amanda Cochrane is Director of Umbrella and a candidate for the Vermont House in the Caledonia-Essex district. A longtime nonprofit leader, she began her career in direct service supporting survivors of violence and has gone on to lead fundraising and organizational growth for mission-driven organizations. She believes deeply that all people should have the opportunity to thrive in our region. A Colby College graduate with an MBA from Brandeis University’s Heller School, she lives in St. Johnsbury with her family and is active in community and volunteer leadership.  

In 1972 at age 14 I worked ten hours a week for close to a year on the George McGovern Presidential Campaign.  Understanding the workings of government has been a strong interest for me beginning at about the age of ten.  I have lived in Newark since 1984, and continue to be employed in psychology and human services as I have been for more than thirty years. I earned two MS degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology at the former Emerson Falls St. Johnsbury campus of Springfield College. I will advocate for affordable approaches to achieving legislative change while respecting the realities of climate science and the rapid changes that are taking place before our eyes. Our population is always undergoing changes and I believe strongly in supporting immigrant populations including those who are the most recently arrived on these shores.  I do not support notions that Euro-American people are deserving of special status or privileges in comparison to more recent arrivals. I strongly reject the idea that sacrifices on the part of those who arrived here earlier in time are involved with working to ensure that equal rights under the law are available to one and all. Solid waste disposal should be transformed into an activity taking place at publicly owned landfills, not at for profit facilities that are inherently compromised by steep conflicts of interest.

Audrey Grant is from Hardwick, VT, where she works as a community organizer and served as Hardwick’s Town Moderator. She is running to make Vermont more affordable, invest in local infrastructure, and build community resilience. Outside of campaigning, she likes to garden and quilt, and enjoy the incredible food Hardwick has to offer.

Dennis is a a native Vermonter born in Newport and a lifelong resident of the Northeast Kingdom.  He brings a deep, personal commitment to the community and experience and a proven legislative track record. Before retiring in July 2021, he served for 18 years as the Political Director of the Vermont AFL-CIO, where he worked directly on a daily basis with legislators and labor affiliates to draft important policy.   He served on the General and Housing Committee in the Vermont House from 2023 to 2024. His record as a former legislator is a testament to consistent, solid dedication to the people of Caledonia-3.

David and his family own and operate Cary & Main Co., an organic & kosher maple products producer operating in St Johnsbury and Danville. David served as a Commissioner on Vermont Governor Scott’s Commission on the Future of Agriculture in Vermont, and is running because, over the last couple of years, he has increasingly heard the same concerns and frustrations that you have heard, from neighbors, teachers, parents, farmers, and small business owners; “the decisions being made in Montpelier are not making our lives better.”

Aiden was born in the small town of Topsham, Vermont.  He grew up loving the beautiful natural landscape. His fondest memories, the ones that really shaped who he is today, are centered around his time working on the family farm. From tapping trees, to raising cattle and building bridges, years of working with his grandfather have shaped his values of hard work, respect, and appreciation of our state’s rural communities.  If he is elected, he plans to focus on the issues of affordability affecting all Vermonters, and especially those of his generation.

Whether in the NEK or in Monpelier, during his career in human services, David worked directly with individuals and families, saw where systems break down—and has taken an active role in ensuring that communities are empowered to address problems and that support reaches people more effectively.

Heather lives in St. Johnsbury and is running for Vermont State Representative to bring practical, community-focused leadership to the Northeast Kingdom.  She believes politics should be about listening, solving problems, and treating people with respect.  Her key issues are affordable healthcare and housing, and strong schools and communities.