Republican, Independent Vt. House candidates launch campaigns

September 15, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti

As the November 5 General Election approaches, the Washington-Chittenden race for two seats in the Vermont House of Representatives is taking shape among two longtime incumbents and two first-time candidates on the ballot.

Waterbury Republican Jonathan Griffin and Huntington Independent James Haddad have shared letters with Waterbury Roundabout announcing their campaigns are now underway.

Voters in the primary election on Aug. 13 chose state Reps. Tom Stevens and Theresa Wood, both of Waterbury, as the top two Democrats in the race. They faced a challenge from Waterbury resident and newcomer Elizabeth Brown, who came in third in the primary contest. Stevens, who serves as chair of the House Housing and General Committee, is seeking a ninth two-year term. Wood chairs the House Committee on Human Services and is running for her fifth term, having served for nine years so far.

Waterbury resident Jonathan Griffin is a Republican candidate for the Vermont House. Courtesy photo

Griffin was the single Republican on the primary ballot and he advances to the General Election. Griffin took part in two candidate forums ahead of the primary which were organized by the Brown campaign. Without a primary opponent, Griffin did not actively campaign before that election. He has not yet filed a campaign finance report with the Secretary of State, required when candidates fundraise at least $500. In contrast, the Democratic primary contenders fundraised more than $50,000 combined.

Haddad was not part of the primary process as he filed as an Independent. He now is on the November ballot. Both challengers frame their candidacies as alternatives to the incumbents and are critical of state government spending and tax policies that Stevens and Wood have supported.

Griffin, an engineer with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, said Vermont’s “affordability crisis” is motivating him to run for office. “I’m deeply concerned for our future based on how unaffordable Vermont is. Since 2019 the state of Vermont’s budget has increased by almost 50%. Inflation over that same period has been 23% meaning our elected officials are far outspending inflation. This is not sustainable,” he writes. Griffin also has a consulting business working with mobile home buyers.

Independent candidate James Haddad of Huntington. Courtesy photo

Haddad, a certified public accountant, has a similar refrain. “I’m ready to serve Vermont with common sense, fiscal conservative values, and a passion for reducing government spending and taxes. I want Vermont to be affordable for my grandkids,” he writes. “The super majority led by legislators from Chittenden County is NOT legislating with Vermonters’ best interests at heart.”

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and it includes the U.S. Presidential race, elections for two of Vermont’s three Congressional seats, all statewide offices including governor and lieutenant governor, as well as the entire Vermont General Assembly.

Ballots will be mailed by the Vermont Secretary of State to all Vermont voters who may return them by mail, drop them off at town or city clerks’ offices, or turn in at the polls on Election Day. Voters may register anytime in Vermont, including on Election Day.

Letters from Jonathan Griffin and James Haddad are posted in the Opinion section here.