Rep. Kate Webb, D-Shelburne, the chair of the House Committee on Education, said Wednesday that she will not run for reelection this year.
“It’s time,” Webb told VTDigger. “It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve been able to participate in some significant conversations about the state of Vermont. And now it’s time to focus on the next stage of my life, which is just basically my family.”
Webb is the latest in a wave of lawmakers and state officials announcing their retirements. The Shelburne Democrat has served in the Vermont House since 2009, and has chaired the House Education committee since 2019, according to her official biography.
A former special educator and professor at the University of Vermont, Webb has also served as the assistant majority leader and deputy assistant majority leader in the House. She spent several terms on the committee for Natural Resources, Fish, and Wildlife.
“I’ve had some amazing opportunities,” she said.
Webb said she was most proud of reforms to Vermont’s water quality laws, as well as work to improve literacy and school facilities. But she said she wished that the Legislature could have done more to expand access to pre-K programs during her tenure.
Kate Lalley, a member of the Shelburne selectboard and a landscape architect, said that she plans to run for the seat this fall. Webb said she would endorse Lalley.
If elected, Lalley said she hoped to focus on legislation concerning “the built and natural environment.”
“I think that I could make meaningful contributions in the area of housing and planning, community development, sustainable transportation, the environment, stormwater, water quality and even energy efficiency,” Lalley said.
