BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Town Meeting Day is just two months away and Burlington City Council races are starting to take shape. With two open Democratic seats, the outcome could again shift the balance of power in the Queen City.
With incumbent City Councilor Tim Doherty, D-East, taking a statewide judge position and Councilor Joan Shannon, D-South, stepping down after 22 years, two Democratic seats on the council are open.
“I just kind of felt in the core of my being. It’s time, and so I am very much at peace with the decision,” Shannon said.
Shannon has held a vice grip on her seat in the city’s South End for more than two decades. She cast key votes during that time, including on the future of Burlington Telecom and against defunding the police. She also fought a losing bid for the mayor’s seat last year.
”We really need people to work together and at this point in time, I think it’s a good time for somebody new to come in and create these relationships,” Shannon said.
Progressives hope to have a candidate to put up a strong challenge in Shannon’s district. But the Progressives also have eyes on winning Doherty’s East District, made up of Progressive-leaning Wards 1 and 8.
“We’re going to be working hard this election to win seven seats on the council so we can move quickly to address the affordability crisis, to address the substance use crisis, and the public safety crisis, and the climate crisis right here in Burlington,” said Vermont Progressive Party Chair Josh Wronski.
Democrats hope to hold both seats — and their 7-5 majority — especially with a Progressive in the mayor’s office. “We need that balance of power, and you have Progressive administration and counselors. Democrats provide another way of looking at things and we’re really focused on making things better in Burlington, want to bring people together to make progress on the issues that we care about,” said Burlington Democratic Party Chair Andy Vota. He says they also want to tackle affordability, housing, and public safety.
We still don’t know all the candidates running. Democrats have their caucus this weekend and Progressives holding theirs on Jan. 11.