Burlington Democrats Name Candidates for City Council Races

From left: Mark Barlow, Buddy Singh, Allie Schachter Credit: Courtesy

Burlington Democrats named Ranjit “Buddy” Singh as the candidate they hope will replace outgoing City Councilor Joan Shannon (D-South District) when she steps down this spring after more than two decades of service.

Singh defeated fellow South End resident Romeo von Hermann 292 to 29 in a Sunday afternoon nominating caucus ahead of Town Meeting Day elections. More than 500 people participated in the caucus, which was conducted with electronic voting.

In two uncontested races, Dems picked Allie Schachter for the East District and incumbent Councilor Mark Barlow in the North District. After two terms serving as an independent, Barlow is running as a Democrat on the March 4 ballot.

The Dems’ Central District candidate, Andrew Gregg, withdrew at the last minute, leaving party leaders about three weeks to find a replacement.

Progressives are likely to have candidates in all four “districts,” which comprise two city wards apiece, setting up a competitive election season that could sway the council’s balance of power. Including Barlow, Democrats have a majority on the council, which is currently down to 11 members owing to a vacancy in the East District.

On Sunday, party chair Andy Vota said electing Dems will provide balance to Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak’s Progressive administration.

“We may all agree on the challenges we face in Burlington, but how we address them and how we vote are quite different,” Vota said. “As Democrats, we are principled, but we know the importance of being pragmatic.”

Candidates had five minutes to make their pitch. Few laid out specific policy proposals, instead echoing common concerns about affordability and an understaffed police department.

Public safety was a major theme in the South District race. Von Hermann spoke about his firsthand experience dealing with discarded needles and violent behavior at the Green Mountain Transit center in downtown Burlington, where he’s a supervisor. Singh, a loan officer with Spruce Mortgage, emphasized that collaboration is key to addressing the city’s challenges.

“I cannot sit here and claim that I have the answer to those problems,” Singh said. “But I do want to make a difference. I want to do everything in my ability to move the needle, to make life better for all of us who call Burlington our home.”

Singh also serves as president of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Champlain Elementary School and on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Burlington.

Singh is likely to have competition for the South District seat, which Shannon held for more than 20 years. Progressives plan to put forward Jen Monroe Zakaras, a climate change researcher who works remotely for the University of California, at the party’s caucus on January 11. Mulvaney-Stanak is serving as Zakaras’ campaign treasurer, the Progs said in a press release on Sunday.

Schachter, the development director for the Flynn, will go up against retired social worker Kathy Olwell, a former longtime school board member, in the East District. The seat has been vacant since late November, when Democrat Tim Doherty stepped down after he was named a superior court judge.

In the North District, Barlow will attempt to defend his seat from challenger Zachary Overla, who works with the Teamsters Local 597 union.

And unless the Dems find a candidate, incumbent Councilor Melo Grant, a Progressive, will sail to reelection in the Central District. The Dems’ executive committee has until January 27 to get a name on the ballot.