For the past few years, VPOP has run candidate surveys ahead of Town Meeting Day, and they've served us well. Response rates were strong, our members engaged with the results, and the conversations they sparked were genuinely valuable. But surveys have a ceiling: they capture where candidates stand, but they don't build the kind of ongoing relationship between advocates and decision-makers that actually moves policy forward.
This year, we wanted to try something different given that we had something we haven't had before: a platform of our own. Leading into 2026, we as an organization spent time developing six concrete priorities where we believe targeted advocacy can make a real difference in housing, transportation, and economic development across Vermont's urban communities. Having that platform meant we could stop asking candidates what they think and start asking them to join us in pushing for something specific.
It also gave us the chance to turn the traditional endorsement dynamic on its head. In most election seasons, advocacy organizations endorse candidates... but we decided to ask candidates to endorse us instead. In the weeks leading up to Town Meeting Day, we reached out to everyone running for City Council or Mayoral positions in Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski, shared our 2026 Platform, and gave each of them the opportunity to endorse our platform.
We asked each candidate who said yes to share a brief statement explaining their support in their own words. What you'll find below are the candidates who support our 2026 platform and have committed to working with us if elected to move it forward.
Burlington Candidates
In Burlington, there are eight city council seats up for election in the city's eight wards. Of those seats, only the Ward 7 and Ward 8 seats are contested. Of the ten candidates running for election, the four below have endorsed our platform.
Carter Neubieser (P)
Candidate for City Council, Ward 1
I am happy to endorse VPOP's 2026 Platform. These 6 focus areas will make life more affordable, more livable, and significantly reduce our reliance on dirty energy. We need residents to demand that political folks do the right thing and prioritize these issues, which is why VPOP's work will be critical to making this vision a reality.
Sarah Carpenter (D)
Candidate for City Council, Ward 4
Vermonters for People Oriented Places (VPOP) has been a great addition to our engaged community. Their mission of Vermonters working together to make Vermont an affordable, livable and sustainable home for all really resonates. They have been able to provide specific well researched information and recommendations on how to effectively to help our municipalities and region meet those goals. Their professionalism and understanding of housing and transit policy and government is particularly appreciated. VPOP’s 2026 Platform will provide a strong guide to local and state law makers.
Becca Brown McKnight (D)
Candidate for City Council, Ward 6
Solving our housing crisis and building the transportation to go along with it is at the core of every challenge facing Burlington and Vermont overall. From affordability, to the economy, to climate change, to public safety, we need elected officials and advocates to have a strong partnership in the innovation that’s required to move Vermont forward. I appreciate VPOP’s work on this front and look forward to continued collaboration with their dedicated members and change agents.
Marek Broderick (P)
Candidate for City Council, Ward 8
I endorse VPOP’s platform because I also believe in building a city that we can all live in and travel. In my first term, I have done my best to fight for a more walkable, accessible, and human-first city with every infrastructure project that came before the council. I will continue to use my position to advocate for these things and listen to the community as we try to push Burlington into a future beyond car travel and back to people and planet focused design along with meeting our housing and climate goals. A better world and a better Burlington is possible.
South Burlington
In South Burlington, there are two at-large seats open for City Council: one three year term, and one two year term. Of the three candidates running for the seats, none have endorsed our platform.
Winooski Candidates
In Winooski, there are three candidates for at-large City Council seats, and one candidate for Mayor. Of those four, the three below have endorsed our platform.
Thomas Renner
Candidate for Mayor
I’m proud to support Vermonters for People-Oriented Places because their 2026 Platform offers a practical roadmap for building stronger, more resilient communities. In Winooski, we experience firsthand how housing supply, transit reliability, and safe street design determine whether residents can put down roots or are forced to move on. This agenda understands that funding public transit, aligning transit-oriented development, calming traffic, and allowing neighborhood-scale businesses are concrete steps—not abstract ideas. By advancing thoughtful local and regional policy, they are helping ensure Vermont’s urban areas grow in ways that are affordable, sustainable, and centered on people’s daily lives.
Eli Ogilvie
Candidate for City Council
As we move further into the year, I support VPOP’s 2026 platform because it addresses the ongoing and emerging challenges facing Winooski. This includes rethinking how we fund public transit, aligning transit-oriented development across Chittenden County, and expanding quick-build safety projects. VPOP remains focused on creating vibrant, well-connected communities where people can live, work, and move affordably.
Al Turkos
Candidate for City Council
I’m proud to endorse VPOP’s 2026 Platform because it understands that housing, transportation, and land use are not separate issues; they are about who gets to belong and thrive in our communities. The choices we make about streets, zoning, and transit shape access to safety, stability, and opportunity. I support VPOP’s commitment to people-oriented policy and look forward to advancing practical steps that expand housing, strengthen public transit, and create neighborhoods designed for care, connection, and collective well-being.
Town Meeting Day may be the first milestone we planned around, but it's not the finish line for this effort. We're encouraged that the candidates who've signed on span across parties and municipalities, highlighting the growing understanding of how important this work is. This kind of regional, non-partisan foundation is exactly what it takes to turn our platform into reality.
Additionally, the door for collaboration remains open! In the weeks and months ahead, we'll continue reaching out to newly elected officials, incumbents, and regional decision-makers who want to be part of this conversation. If you're an elected official or candidate who wants to add your name, reach out to us at hello@verpop.org. We'd love to have you on board.