STANDING TOGETHER
Elaine is proud to be supported by community leaders, advocates, and neighbors throughout the Chittenden-Central district, from Burlington to Essex Town and beyond, who believe in steady leadership and real solutions.
“I am proud to endorse Elaine Haney for State Senate. Elaine has more than a decade of local government experience, helping people with their day-to-day needs, working to achieve economic prosperity and a better future for the people in her district. As a State Senator, she will work to address the housing bottleneck, rising insurance costs, and commit to a practical approach to our education system. Elaine will prioritize the needs of children and families, and foster thriving local economies.
Elaine listens to people and treats everyone with respect. She will make sure your voice is heard at the Statehouse. She is committed to investing in people and communities. And she backs that commitment with energy and action.”
Beth Pearce, former State Treasurer
“The people of Vermont have already benefited deeply from Elaine’s leadership and expertise and would do so even more if she is elected to the Senate. She has a long track record as a champion of practical, collaborative solutions that keep working Vermonters front of mind.
Her work supporting women in office is unparalleled and as a newly elected official myself, I have found her mentorship to be invaluable. I can’t think of a better person to serve as state Senator!”
Becca Brown McKnight, Burlington City Councilor, Ward 6
“I’m proud to endorse Elaine Haney for the Vermont Senate. Vermont is at an inflection point, and we need leaders who are grounded in their communities, willing to listen, and ready to tackle the challenges Vermonters are facing around affordability, housing, and access to care. Elaine brings thoughtfulness, integrity, and a collaborative approach to public service, and I’m confident she will be a strong advocate for our region and for Vermont’s future.”
Rep. Rey Garofano, Essex Town, CHI-23
“As an Emerge Vermont graduate, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from Elaine. She is a truly exceptional leader—someone who does her homework, asks hard questions, and listens deeply to a wide range of perspectives. Elaine leads with care and integrity, always centering the well-being of others. In this time of immense challenges at every level of government, I can think of no one better suited to lead us forward. I am proud to endorse Elaine for Senate.”
Allie Schachter, Burlington City Councilor, East District
Jane Knodell, Former Burlington City Councilor
“I’ve known Elaine for 25 years as a friend, neighbor, colleague in municipal government, and as an Emerge Vermont and Vermont State Colleges supporter. Elaine will make a great Vermont state senator because she is a patient listener who acts decisively when she has made a decision in the best interest of her constituents. I have never known her to back away from a fight when she knows what is right, even if it means everyone won't be happy with the outcome. I observed in Montpelier that the best legislators often come with a strong background in grassroots local government service. Elaine has that experience.
Chittenden-Central voters will have tough choices this year in a very competitive senate race. You don't have to be from Essex to benefit from Elaine's successful past efforts and future hard work on your behalf. Choose the strong Democrats who will work for your priorities and fight for better education, health care, housing...and who know how to get things done. Be a change agent by supporting one with a strong track record of service—Elaine Haney!”
Tim Jerman, former State Representative, Essex Junction Village Trustee, DNC National Committeeman, VDP Vice Chair
Anne Lezak, Burlington, Former Chair, Vermont Democratic Party
Melinda Moulton, Writer, Film Maker, Community Leader
“Elaine brings 12 years of proven experience in both city and town government, grounded in years of volunteerism and community service, to tackle the toughest issues with patience and persistence. She has a track record of rolling up her sleeves on complex challenges—from public safety and long-term infrastructure to housing and small business—always putting the needs of families and children first. Her life of uplifting women and girls, whether in civic life or on the roller derby track, shows the kind of hard-working, no-headlines-needed leadership the Vermont Senate needs now.”
Marybeth Redmond, Essex, Former state representative
Amy Bielawski-Branch, Burlington
“Elaine Haney is singularly prepared to serve with distinction as a state senator. She has deep experience in local government, having served her local government, most recently on the Essex Junction City Council and the Essex Town Selectboard, for 12 years. She served during some of the biggest and most contentious challenges any local government in Vermont has had to address in recent years. She also knows the mechanics of state government through her work at the Vermont State Colleges and Emerge Vermont. As someone who has had the pleasure of working with Elaine on the CCTV Board, I know that she will be a knowledgeable, compassionate, open, and respectful member of the Vermont State Senate. I endorse her strongly and with enthusiasm.”
“I know I am among many who strongly support Elaine Haney’s run for State Senate in the Chittenden Central district.
During my time as Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, I got to know and respect Elaine as Emerge Vermont’s executive director. Her enthusiasm, wisdom, and knowledge were indispensable to the success of Emerge Vermont, both in attracting candidates to train and in their success at the ballot box. In 2022 and 2024, an astounding 81% of Emerge candidates won their races, with most attributing to Elaine and Emerge Vermont training an outsize role in their win.
As VDP Chair, I learned to rely on Elaine’s deep understanding of Vermont politics and her ethical approach to campaign and policy issues. Elaine became a trusted advisor and partner.
In addition to being a respected leader, Elaine is a team player, who brings people together and takes into consideration their priorities and concerns. This will be a valuable quality as a state senator, along with all she’s gained from her deep involvement in local and state politics for well over 20 years.
I know that Elaine will continue to be a smart, thoughtful, and effective advocate on issues that matter once she is elected to the Vermont Senate. I have no question that she has what it takes to be a superb senator for her constituents and for Vermont.”
“Elaine Haney is running for Vermont Senate and she is an accomplished and visionary Vermonter whose time has come to help guide Vermont into the future. As a current city counselor for the City of Essex Junction and recently the ED of Emerge Vermont, Elaine understands the workings of government. She is also fair and open minded. With her long, successful career in community development and outreach, government, and organizational development, Elaine will bring a refreshing and bright perspective to our State Legislature. She has my total and unwavering support.”
“I am happy to endorse Elaine Haney for the Vermont Senate. I have known her for years but was fortunate to get to know Elaine even better this past year through her role as the Executive Director of Emerge Vermont, the premier political leadership training organization for Democratic women. Elaine is an optimistic yet pragmatic leader who knows how to effect positive change for Vermont. She is collaborative – able to listen to people and formulate their concerns into action. Elaine is willing to grapple with complex issues that impact our local communities. She will be an incredible asset in the Vermont Senate.”
“I support Elaine Haney for the Vermont Senate. I have known Elaine for over 15 years; we worked together on the Brownell Library Board of Trustees and we stayed in touch while she was on our local government boards. As a library trustee, I always knew I could count on Elaine, no matter what board she was on, to be a champion of the Brownell; I knew she would be able to explain things to other government officials in a way that they would understand because she has always seen the value that a library provides the community. I have known her to be thoughtful, hard working, and willing to listen to the community she is serving. Elaine understands how important collaboration is to get things done. I believe she will help us move forward in a way that benefits us all. Community is at the core of everything that Elaine does and I know my community is better thanks to Elaine’s service.”
Sheila Porter, Essex Junction, Brownell Library Trustee
I have known Elaine for many years, working with her on committees, initiatives, and projects to benefit our community. She is passionate, caring, persistent, constant, and an active learner. She is both collaborative and decisive, and doesn’t shy away from hard choices to find the wise path forward. Most recently, we teamed up on an initiative to educate our community about the vote to form the City of Essex Junction. We successfully got out the vote on a single-issue ballot item in a non-election year, with almost 50% of registered voters participating in this historic decision. Elaine’s dedication to volunteer work on this and so many other initiatives demonstrate her commitment to her community and to good governance in Vermont. I am confident that she will be a tremendous representative to the Senate and will work on behalf of all Vermonters to address critical issues head on.”
Gabrielle Smith, Essex Junction
“I’ve known Elaine for over 20 years and we’ve worked together on community enhancement projects for most of that time. Elaine is an enthusiastic promoter of all community connection endeavors and I know she’ll bring that same enthusiasm to the Vermont Senate! Elaine is practical, knowledgeable and personable. That’s a great combination of attributes for a senator! Vote for Elaine Haney!"
Bridget Downey-Meyer, Essex Junction
“Jonathan and I have known Elaine for over 25 years and it’s not nearly long enough! We met through her bookstore, and I am proud to say I helped launched her into her political career: I invited her to run for the Trustees of the Brownell Library. The followed a term on the Essex Town Selectboard; 7 years as a Trustee of the Village of Essex Junction; and now a city councilor for the City of Essex Junction, which she helped create; Vermont representative to the Democratic National Committee; and numerous other appointments, City- and county-wide.
But Elaine is not just a political character. She grows bountiful flower gardens, is a world traveler, and—wait for it—a former roller derby player and referee. She knows the rules and she knows how to play by the rules, and she knows how to question and change the rules.
Elaine’s recent work with Emerge has been assisting Vermont women interested in running for public office. She is well-apprised of the many issues facing Vermont: housing challenges, small business needs, healthcare costs, and the huge importance of addressing the educational challenges of our small rural state. Elaine seeks a collaborative approach which includes the many stakeholders all over the state. She has a deep understanding of how things work, and is passionate about politics, in the best sense of the word.
We know that all of this, for Elaine, is about building and sustaining communities in Vermont, to better serve everyone.
Jonathan and I heartily endorse Elaine Haney to represent us and our family and friends and our community in the Chittenden-Central district, with deep gratitude for her service."
Angie & Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Burlington
Endorsements will be added here as they are announced.
Vermonters need change, and leaders who can make it happen.
This moment calls for leaders who will do the hard work, and I’m ready to take on the fight. I hope you'll join me in the work of building a successful future for Vermont.
