Updated at 5:06 p.m.
One of Vermont’s most recognizable faces is running for state Senate.
Former NBC5 news anchor Stewart Ledbetter, who for years moderated Vermont Public’s weekly political roundtable “Vermont This Week,” announced Friday that he had joined the Democratic primary to represent the Chittenden Central district. He’ll face off against three incumbents, including the leader of the Senate.
“I always thought after I retire, I’d want to serve,” said Ledbetter, a longtime resident of Winooski. After 41 years in broadcast journalism, Ledbetter called it a career in February.
It is the beginning of what promises to be a busy election season in Vermont’s northwestern corner. Rep. Patrick Brennan, R-Colchester, has filed paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office to run in the neighboring Grand Isle Senate district. He could face off against Julie Hulburd, a member of the state Cannabis Control Board who filed this week to run as a Democrat.
The Grand Isle district, which also includes Colchester, was represented for close to four decades by Dick Mazza, a Democrat who resigned earlier this year due to health challenges. The seat remains vacant.
In the three-member Chittenden Central district, all three incumbents have announced they will seek reelection: Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth, a Democrat/Progressive; Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, a Progressive/Democrat; and Sen. Martine Gulick, a Democrat.
Ledbetter would have to oust one of them to make it to the Statehouse.
“I’m not running against anyone,” Ledbetter said. “There’s not really a perfect time to run.”
The last Democratic primary in the Chittenden district was decided by just four votes, with Gulick clinching the third spot over Progressive housing advocate Erhard Manke after a recount. Gulick acknowledged that Ledbetter’s entry into the race could pose a significant challenge.
“I am probably the most vulnerable of the three [incumbents],” Gulick said. “But I’m ready to go, I’m going to fight hard for this one.”
Gulick pointed to her work on education and health care as reasons for wanting to continue. She also said she, Vohovsky, and Baruth made for a good team.
“I feel as though our slate of senators has worked really well together, and we got a lot done,” Gulick said.
Chittenden Central is made up of Burlington’s New and Old North Ends; Winooski; a sliver of Colchester; all of Essex Junction; and parts of Essex town. It’s often considered one of the state’s most liberal districts, a dynamic both Gulick and Ledbetter will have to navigate.
“At the end of the day, you have to make some consensus,” said Ledbetter. “I never really had an issue listening to different points of view.”
Gov. Phil Scott recently said he hoped to recruit more moderate candidates to Montpelier to challenge Democrats’ veto-proof majority. Ledbetter said he had not spoken to Scott about his decision to run.
“I saw his announcement,” Ledbetter said. “I have had a good relationship with every governor I’ve covered. All five governors.”
Ledbetter isn’t the first in his family to run for public office. His late father, a former state banking and insurance commissioner also named Stewart, won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1980, losing to then-Sen. Patrick Leahy.
Ledbetter has picked up the support of John Tracy, a former state representative from Burlington who later served as Leahy’s state director. Tracy will act as Ledbetter’s campaign treasurer.
Former Senate President Pro Tempore John Campbell also endorsed Ledbetter.
“He’s a trusted individual. I know he’ll serve Vermont well,” Campbell said in a press release.
In the Grand Isle district race, both Brennan and Hulburd alluded to Mazza’s long and well-respected tenure.
“He’s been a wonderful representative, I’ve had the chance to speak to him many times,” said Hulburd.
Hulburd, who grew up in Colchester, has worked in various private and public roles, though this is her first time seeking a seat in the Legislature. When asked about her politics, she alluded to Vermonters’ independent streak.
“You know, it’s issue specific, whoever wins has to be willing to represent everyone,” she said.
Brennan, who has represented Colchester for 22 years in the Statehouse, went further in tying himself to Mazza.
“When you look at Dick’s record, as far as fiscal responsibility, I carry that same torch,” he said.
Brennan said he had not spoken to Scott directly about his decision to run because the governor has not yet appointed someone to Mazza’s vacant seat.
“We stayed away from that conversation, both him and I felt it was best not to, because we didn’t want to give any notion of impropriety,” he said.
