Andrew Brown, the president of Essex Junction’s board of trustees, is withdrawing from the Democratic primary race for a three-seat state Senate district in Chittenden County, the candidate announced Sunday.
Brown said he was dropping out for personal reasons.
“New life factors have arisen which would prevent me from being able to serve … should I win, therefore I cannot in good conscience continue my bid for election,” Brown said in a press release.
In response to an inquiry from VTDigger, he declined to elaborate.
The personal changes won’t affect Brown’s role in Essex Junction government, he said. The village is set to become Vermont’s newest city on July 1, meaning the Board of Trustees will become the City Council.
Brown’s exit, days after early voting began for the Aug. 9 primary, leaves five candidates in the Chittenden Central race, which combines some of the state’s most left-leaning areas. Three of those candidates — Sen. Phil Baruth, D/P-Chittenden; Rep. Tanya Vyhovsky, P/D-Essex; and affordable housing advocate Erhard Mahnke — are endorsed by the Progressive Party.
The two others, Burlington School Commissioner Martine Gulick and Vermont human rights commissioner Dawn Ellis, are running solely for a spot on the Democratic ballot.
— Jack Lyons