Burlington Democrats on Sunday unanimously endorsed Mayor Miro Weinberger, who is seeking a third term as the city’s top executive at Town Meeting Day in March.
A crowd of 250 people inside the Burlington High School auditorium roared with approval, waving “Miro for Mayor” signs as they gave their endorsement with a voice vote.
Weinberger avoided what could have been an awkward caucus. Independent mayoral candidate Carina Driscoll initially said she planned to seek the Democratic endorsement, but later backed down.
“Rather than attempting to pull off a political stunt unseating the Mayor in his own caucus, I am focused on engaging voters throughout the city and increasing participation on election day, Tuesday, March 6th,” she said. Driscoll earned the endorsement of Burlington Progressives in December.
Weinberger’s wife, Stacy, nominated him for the endorsement. The mayor seemed at ease on stage, cracking a joke about keeping the temperature low inside the chilly auditorium to save taxpayer dollars, and sharing anecdotes about members of his campaign team.
Weinberger, who faces challenges from Driscoll and independent Infinite Culcleasure, said that his first six years in office “built a foundation for even greater successes” in a third term.
Weinberger was quick to tout his accomplishments, painting a picture of his intervention when Burlington “teetered on the edge of a true fiscal crisis.” He described his work investing in the northern waterfront, building affordable housing and selling Burlington Telecom.
Weinberger also reverted back to his talking point of elections past — city financials. “Fiscal responsibility is not a checkbox on a to-do list to be marked and then forgotten,” he said to applause.
His priorities in his next term will be ensuring that Burlington remains “an equitable and inclusive city.” Weinberger also vowed to invest in infrastructure and public spaces, move forward on energy initiatives, and to resist policies of President Donald Trump “that are in conflict with Burlington values.”
Though Weinberger never mentioned Driscoll by name, he twice alluded to her in his speech. Driscoll, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) stepdaughter, could pose a serious challenge to the incumbent.
“One of my opponents is trying to reuse the old campaign slogan that ‘Burlington is not for sale,’ suggesting that Burlington Democrats are recklessly selling off the City’s assets,” Weinberger said. “Nothing could be further from the truth. We aren’t selling Burlington.”
The caucus began with city council candidate endorsements.
In one of the two contested races of the night, Lizzie Haskell bested James Lockridge 16-10 for the Ward 3 nomination. Haskell will face off against Lockridge, who’s running as an independent, and Progressive Brian Pine.
Haskell, a 21-year-old UVM graduate, has worked with Burlington and state Democratic committees and promised voters that if elected, she would bring accountability and transparency to the city council.
In Ward 7, incumbent Ali Dieng beat Chris Trombly 46-16. Dieng, who in December also secured the Progressive nomination, defeated Trombly in a special election last June.
Chip Mason (D-Ward 5) also received unanimous support in his bid to hold his seat against Progressive Jesse Warren. Incumbent Karen Paul (D-Ward 6) was endorsed in her run against Progressive Charles Simpson. Independent Adam Roof received the Ward 8 endorsement; he’ll face UVM student Carter Neubieser, a Progressive.
No Democratic candidates stepped up to contest the reelection bids of Sharon Bushor (I-Ward 1), Kurt Wright (R-Ward 4) or Max Tracy (P-Ward 2).
Related Stories
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Wow!! Now that Bernie’s daughter is running for Mayor the Progressive attack dogs are going to do everything they can to stab Miro in the back. The Progressives always want and usually get the Democratic support but it is a totally one way street. As soon as they have their own candidate they have no use for the Democrats. What a bunch hypocrites! The fact is the Kiss/Leopold administration left the city in financial shambles. Miro has brought Burlington back to financial respectability. Sorry, just facts not FAKE NEWS!!
“a mayor and city council who just do not understand what its like to be working poor,”
First, I just think you are wrong.
Second, take up your concerns with Max Tracy, Jan Knodell, Sharon Bushor, Sara Moore, and Ali Deng. What have they done?
Hi Councilor Mason,
At the end of the day what I see is a consistent thread of a mayor and city council who just do not understand what its like to be working poor, and whose policies time and time again end up focusing on helping those who have considerable means over our neighbors who are most vulnerable and marginalized. The voices of advocates, like the ACLU, seem to fall on deaf ears.
I was hoping you could offer some clear examples to show how I am wrong, how I have misread the past 6 years, show some clear examples of the council and mayor putting people over profits, because Im having some serious trouble seeing it.
When I think Burlington is for sale, what I mean is that businesses and landlords and developers in Burlington have priority and focus over more vulnerable populations, that for example like the private marina, or the mayor and city council supporting a mall project with an initial poor door entrance, tourists and developers have a better chance of being heard in city hall over community advocates (like myself) and more importantly the marginalized groups and the working poor we devote our lives to supporting.
It has been demoralizing to put so much trust in local elected leaders and feel like instead of listening, they’d rather argue. Thank you for your time.