Official Endorsements
Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund
Who Else is Supporting Kathleen James?
Rev. Dr. Steve Berry (Former State Representative, Manchester)
Carol Berry (Manchester)
Mary Ann Carlson (Arlington)
Dr. Edward Cameron (Manchester resident and global climate change specialist)
Pat Musick and Jerry Carr (“The Artist and the Astronaut,” Manchester)
Rabbi Michael M. Cohen (Manchester)
Clemma Dawsen (Sandgate)(Manchester)
Trinity Delano, Matthew Scott, Isabelle Deroches, Claire Reid (Burr & Burton Academy)
Jeffrey & Virginia Dexter (Sunderland)
Kathe Dillmann (Manchester)
Linda Drunsic (Manchester)
Jean Freebern (Arlington)
Carmen (Lu) French (Manchester Village)
Stephanie Moffett-Hynds (Arlington)
Brian Sawyer (Manchester Center)
Jerry Skapof (Manchester Center)
Bob Stannard (Former State Representative, Manchester)
Alison Stannard (Manchester)
Anthony Surratt (Dorset)
Jeff Wilson (Former State Representative, Manchester)
David Zuckerman (Vermont Lt. Governor)
Rev. Dr. Steve Berry (Former State Representative, Manchester)
Kathleen James will bring honesty, integrity, and clarity to the legislature. She listens to others and works well with them. She has the ability to blend her gifts of heart and mind in a manner that produces positive results. She is a deep thinker, an outstanding writer and an accomplished community organizer. Most importantly, she is a committed mother and friend who believes in democracy, in community and in unequivocally standing up for what is right.
Her vision is one that I share, which is that every Vermonter—not just the upwardly mobile—have a claim on our common American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. She will work to make that dream become reality and that is why I am strongly endorsing her.
Read Steve’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Carol Berry (Manchester)
I have known Kathleen since first moving to Manchester and my admiration for her has never waned. I appreciate her forthrightness, her dedication to her daughters, her desire to seek truthful answers to her questions, her work ethic, and her values for tolerance, compassion and social justice. With Kathleen James in Montpelier, I know I will be represented by someone who cares for all Vermonters. She will listen and engage in dialogue, will question the issues thoroughly, and will not compromise her own integrity for political gain.
Dr. Edward Cameron (Manchester resident and global climate change specialist)
For more than 20 years, I have been fortunate to work with political representatives all around the world. I have known exceptional public servants who take the time to know their neighbors; conduct public business with transparency, integrity, impartiality, in a spirit of collaboration; and with a solid understanding of the trends shaping our world.
When I first met Kath James, I was struck by her passion for her community, her personal warmth, her ability to understand and communicate complex issues, and her strength of character. I have seen firsthand her capacity to listen to many views while being consistent and true to her core values. I have watched her prepare to run for office by prioritizing substance over soundbites, spending the hard hours interrogating the issues that impact this community. I have no doubt that she would be a strong and informed advocate, championing the issues that matter to all of us, irrespective of party affiliation, including jobs, healthcare, and caring for our common home by building a thriving and sustainable green economy.
Most importantly, I am convinced she would make us proud to be her constituents through her service and personal conduct. She would be a model public servant and an example for others to follow in the State Capitol. I offer my loud and proud support and encourage others to elect Kath our next State Rep!
Read Edward’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Pat Musick and Jerry Carr (“The Artist and the Astronaut,” Manchester)
We have known Kathleen personally for a decade, and the main thing that stands out about her is integrity. She generates an aura of honesty, dedication and enthusiasm, and has an inclusive open mind. These characteristics are all so important to the renewal of our political system.
Read Pat’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Read Jerry’s letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Rabbi Michael M. Cohen (Manchester)
The United States of Americas is at a crossroads. I write “Americas” intentionally in the plural because we are losing the fabric of what keeps and holds us together. The notion of E pluribus unum — out of many, one — the motto of our country, has become frayed since the 2016 election. There is a sense that the system is broken and needs fixing. This includes our local, state and national institutions. We need new leadership, beginning on the local level.
That is why I am supporting Kathleen James. She has served our community professionally as well as numerous ways volunteering over the years. More important, she is committed to making our legislature respond in ways that are more equitable and fair for all. These times require citizens like Kathleen to be given the chance to set our ship back on course.
Read Michael’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
“Kathleen’s experience in the business sector, combined with interest in and understanding of the human condition, and more specifically, the needs of this district, come from personal experience and her willingness to listen, to be wrong, to be educated by her constituents…”
Read Clemma’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Climate change is one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Kathleen is the only candidate for this district who is totally committed to making the changes necessary to combat greenhouse gas emissions and promote the green energy sector in the state of Vermont. She is a candidate that is looking to the future, not clinging to ideas of the past. She has proven to be an ethical, moral and transparent leader and will continue to keep in touch with her constituents through the press, social media and regular office hours.
Jeffrey and Virginia Dexter (Sunderland)
Kathleen’s strong feelings for open government are to be commended as she would use personal, face-to-face meetings and high-tech solutions to keep all constituents fully informed of things coming out of Montpelier that affect us.
Read Jeffreys and Virginia’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Kathe Dillmann (Manchester)
“Kathleen listens before she speaks or judges a situation, she weighs the pros and cons after careful consideration of varied points of view. She is level-headed and courteous. She does her homework…”
Read Kathe’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Trinity Delano, Matthew Scott, Isabelle Deroches, Claire Reid (Burr & Burton Academy)
“We know that, if elected, Kathleen will continue to listen intently to us and all those in our community. She is someone who will passionately advocate for a more politically, socially, economically, and environmentally just Vermont…”
Read Their Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Linda Drunsic (Manchester)
“Although I usually do not get involved in the political realm, I feel obliged to give a shout out to all in support of Kathleen James. I have heard Kathleen speak about issues that concern me, and am sure that she will do her best to see that those issues are addressed, if elected this November…”
Read Linda’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Jean Freebern (Arlington)
“Although I usually do not get involved in the political realm, I feel obliged to give a shout out to all in support of Kathleen James. I have heard Kathleen speak about issues that concern me, and am sure that she will do her best to see that those issues are addressed, if elected this November…”
Carmen (Lu) French (Manchester Village)
Kathleen is a powerful, thoughtful and effective communicator. I can’t think of a more important quality for a representative to have when negotiating for our best interest in the legislature.Over the years, Kath has worked hard in our community for issues that are critically important to me. She cares deeply about our public schools while being a strong supporter of school choice. She has been an ardent advocate of environmental causes and women’s rights, both of which have been under constant attack by the current leadership in Washington, putting the onus squarely on state governments to do the right thing. Her experience comes from countless hours of community service and leadership over many years.
Read Carmen’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Kathleen is down-to-earth, sharp, intellectually curious, compassionate, fair-minded, resourceful, dogged, courageous and has a great sense of humor, as well. I have been struck by the healthy importance she places on talking with and listening to people from across the political spectrum and the wide range of news sources she routinely consults. She won’t let the perfect plan be the enemy of a good one.
Read Stephanie’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal.
Jerry Skapof (Manchester Center)
This midterm election is not only about local and state issues — it’s a chance to send a clear message to Washington. And that message matters all the way up and down the ticket. I urge Democratic and Independent voters to only use one of their two votes, and vote for Kathleen James.
Read Jerry’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Alison Stannard (Manchester)
“My first experience with Kathleen as a political organizer was when the Women’s March on Washington was being organized in the fall of 2016. She was instrumental in connecting local women and organizing two full buses to Washington from the Manchester area. While on the trip she was a true leader, encouraging and guiding us all. We were all so inspired by this grassroots effort. It was a life changing event for all of us, including Kathleen. After we returned she emerged as a new voice in our district.”
Read Alison’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Bob Stannard (Former State Representative, Manchester)
I’ve known Kathleen James for quite some time and I can attest to the fact that she will be an extraordinary State Representative. She will represent the citizens of Manchester, Sunderland, Sandgate and Arlington with grace, dignity and passion.
Kathleen is one of those rare people that we get to meet once in a lifetime. She’s wicked smart; has more energy than ten people and is extremely dedicated to leaving this place better than she found it.
Having served three terms in the Vermont House, I know from experience what it takes to be a good legislator. Kathleen James is destined to be a great leader and I am honored to lend my voice to the chorus of support for her candidacy as our representative in Montpelier.
Read Bob’s Letter to the Editor in the Bennington Banner
Read Bob’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Anthony Surratt (Dorset)
Today, despite being “settled law” nationwide, marriage equality is one of several rights looking increasingly vulnerable given the rightward tilt of the Supreme Court. In fact, gay couples’ right to marry could be back before state legislatures in the years to come. So, yes, fairness and equality are very much on the ballot this election — and every election — in the Northshire and elsewhere. I hope my fellow Vermont voters take that to heart and cast votes for candidates at all levels of government and in every district who will stand up unwaveringly for equality, every chance they get.
Read Anthony’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal.
Jeff Wilson (Former State Representative, Manchester)
It’s more than a tad disillusioning to see how so many politicians, especially at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, have come to shamelessly abandon the core traditional values that made America great. Integrity, honesty, ethical behavior, the rule of law and simple common decency seem to be in very short supply these days. Thankfully, in Kathleen James, we have a candidate running for the Vermont House who not only understands and embraces the basic tenets of American democracy, but has the intellect, capacity and commitment to represent the Northshire as an outstanding legislator.
By electing such a capable and principled candidate as Kathleen, we will not only be sending an exceptional State Rep to Montpelier, we’ll also be doing our part in rejecting all of the destructive beliefs that have come to permeate our political system over the past couple of years.
Read Jeff’s Letter to the Editor in the Manchester Journal
Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (Hinesburg)
When I first met Kathleen, I could tell she was a special person. Her passion for the issues, balanced with her thoughtful approach to listening and absorbing information from different perspectives, is a perfect combination for being a legislator. In a day when the political world has become so polarized, having someone who is ready to break bread with anyone is a welcome sight. It’s important to have core values and community goals, but it’s equally important to thoughtfully respect and consider other points of view. Kathleen will bring these traits to the Statehouse, and I look forward to helping her in any way that I can.
