Two months after a Vermont Democratic Party staffer resigned in protest of a “toxic environment” within the organization, it has named a new executive director.
The party announced Thursday evening that Claire Cummings would succeed Scott McNeil as leader of the party’s staff — making her the fourth person since 2018 to hold the post.
Cummings, who is originally from Maine, served as the party’s organizing director during the 2020 general election and this year’s Burlington mayoral race. Prior to joining the party, she worked in New Hampshire and Maine for Sen. Bernie Sanders’, I-Vt., 2020 presidential campaign.
“We’re looking to build for the 2022 elections,” said Bruce Olsson, chair of the Vermont Democratic Party.
“She is someone who has a lot of energy and a lot of commitment to building the party,” he said.
Olsson declined to say whether the recent criticism of the party influenced the decision to hire Cummings.
“Claire is someone who is a very good organizer and has good relationships with party folks throughout the state,” he said.
Cummings is expected to officially begin in her new role Monday, April 19.
The organization she will lead has been plagued in recent years by scandal and turnover.
A month after McNeil was hired in the summer of 2019, Brandon Batham was forced to resign from his position as the party’s operations director after allegedly embezzling more than $18,000.
Then, in February 2021, Kevin Burgess, the party’s director of affairs and outreach, resigned. At the time, he released a public letter of resignation in which he claimed there was a “toxic environment” in the party and a “lack of willingness to take the necessary steps to address systemic issues.”
Burgess’ critiques were many, including that the party was “the most unorganized and poorly managed institution I have ever seen.” Four days after the Burgess letter went public, McNeil announced he would be stepping down as executive director.
Olsson, a former chair of the Lamoille County Democratic Committee, is the fourth person since 2017 to serve as the party’s elected chair.
“I am clear-eyed about the significant work ahead,” Cummings said in an emailed statement. “I look forward to fostering an environment of communication and collaboration both within the VDP and our greater Vermont community as we work together to move our party forward.”
Cummings told VTDigger on Friday afternoon that she was not interested in commenting on “past staff” and was focused instead on the future of the party.
She said she intends to begin her tenure by reaching out to Democratic stakeholders — including the Black, Indigenous/First Nations or a person of color (BIPOC) community, members of the LGTBQ community and rural Vermonters.
“Right now we have the chance to talk to Vermonters and to find out what they want from the Democratic Party and how we can move forward together,” Cummings said.
