Burlington Progressives Sunday made endorsements in the city’s mayoral and city council races, backing former public works director Steve Goodkind’s bid for mayor, and supporting a slate of mostly incumbent councilors.
Two of the Progressives’ five council members decided not to run again, Seven Days reports.
The Progs' two Ward 3 councilors — Rachel Siegel and Vince Brennan — opted not to run again, citing health and family reasons, respectively.
On the current council, the Progressives are effectively a major party – they hold five seats to the Democrats’ seven, with Ward 4’s Kurt Wright serving as the only Republican.
In the mayoral race, Steve Goodkind is the only announced challenger to one-term incumbent Miro Weinberger. Goodkind announced his retirement last May after more than three decades working for the city.
The Progressive Party sent out a news release announcing the endorsement, and noted Goodkind's stance on city development as a big part of his platform.
He said that many of the voters he’s spoken with are discontented with the job that Mayor Miro Weinberger is doing, especially in regard to city development, and Goodkind is running in part to provide them with another option on the ballot. “Although there are plenty of things we should be saying ‘no’ to, this will be a positive campaign,” Goodkind said. “For every issue I raise, I’ll offer a viable alternative. I will stand for choices, not just for change.”
The party's nominations for city council - if all candidates prevail - would retain the five progressive seats on the council. And if the two independents who got nods from the party Sunday prevail, Progressive endorsees will make up a majority of the new Burlington City Council next year.
Five Progressives received the endorsement for Burlington City Council races. They are: Jane Knodell (Central district), Selene Colburn (East District), Max Tracy (Ward 2) and Sara Giannoni (Ward 3). Two Independents also received Progressive endorsements: Sharon Bushor (Ward 1), and Ben Vidal (Ward 8).
Update 3:10 p.m. A previous version of this story contained an incorrect endorsement list from the Progressive news release. The list has been corrected.
