The Democratic primary pits longtime sheriff’s deputy Thomas Battista against Ludlow police officer and Windsor Selectboard Chair Ryan Palmer. Palmer has brought attention to the Vermont law that allows sheriffs to pocket 5% of all contracts secured by their departments.
Appointed by then-Gov. Jim Douglas in 2009, Sheriff Chad Schmidt faces a challenger in the August Democratic primary.
Upon arrival, investigators confirmed that Connie Allen, the Grand Isle Sheriff, age 46, was deceased due to a gunshot wound. Allen was located on the property of her residence in South Hero. The victim’s remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for an autopsy. Foul play is not suspected.
