Colburn’s city council district has significant overlap with the Chittenden 6-4 House District, which Ram has represented since 2009. Colburn, a University of Vermont librarian, was elected to the council in 2014.
Colburn said she has not decided whether she will run as a Progressive or a Democrat, or seek the nomination of both parties as many other Progressive candidates for legislative and statewide office have done.
Voters in Chittenden 6-4, which covers part of the Old North End and UVM, have historically supported Progressives and small ‘p’ progressive Democrats, Colburn said, adding that she’s not certain party affiliation is a major factor for them.
Colburn said an open seat in her home district was a powerful draw, noting that it’s difficult to unseat incumbents. As city councilor she’s come up against the limits of what can be accomplished at the municipal level, and says she has increasingly found herself advocating for constituents in the Statehouse.
Specifically, Colburn said Burlington is struggling to provide appropriate substance abuse and mental health treatment for residents in the Vermont’s largest city.
“There’s clearly a lot that has to happen at the state level,” she said.
Colburn has also led efforts to have the city employee pension fund divest from coal and fossil fuel, and said she would use the House seat to advocate for more affordable housing and laws to that hold unscrupulous landlords accountable.
A spokeswoman for the Democratic Party said they were not aware of any other Democrats running for the seat currently, and declined comment on Colburn’s candidacy.
The Republican Party did not respond to a similar request for comment. City Councilor Kurt Wright, who is also a Republican state representative, said he was not aware of any Republicans who plan to run for the seat at this time.
