Jared Duval, an environmental advocate and former state director of economic development, is vying for a seat in the Vermont Senate, he announced late Sunday.
Washington County voters can expect to see Duval’s name on their Democratic primary ballots Aug. 9. Duval is entering the race just days after Montpelier Mayor Anne Watson announced her candidacy.
Three senators represent voters in the Washington County district. Twelve-year incumbent Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington, who has been a fixture in Vermont progressive politics since the 1980s, announced last Thursday that he is retiring this year. The district’s other two incumbents, Sens. Ann Cummings, a Democrat, and Andrew Perchlik, a Democrat/Progressive, have confirmed to VTDigger that they intend to run for reelection.
Duval for five years has been executive director of the Energy Action Network, a statewide nonprofit focused on environmental and economic issues. Previously, he worked in state government as the economic development director for the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Should he clinch a seat in the Statehouse, Duval named environmental, energy and socioeconomic equity policy as areas of focus.
— Sarah Mearhoff