Title: Charlestin Seeks Vermont Lt. Governor After 2024 Loss Esther Charlestin, who suffered a crushing defeat in Vermont’s 2024 gubernatorial race, announced this week she will run for lieutenant governor in 2024.
The chair of the Vermont Commission on Women becomes the third Democrat in what’s shaping up to be a competitive primary. She joins former Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray, who served from 2021 to 2023, and Ryan McLaren, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Peter Welch.
Charlestin’s entry adds an intriguing subplot to Vermont politics. Earlier this year, she made history as the first Black woman nominated by Vermont’s Democratic Party for statewide office. That groundbreaking campaign ended in disappointment when she managed only 21 percent of the vote against Republican Gov. Phil Scott’s 72 percent landslide.
The 2024 race exposed significant weaknesses in Charlestin’s political operation. Despite endorsements from Democratic heavyweights like former governor Howard Dean, she struggled with fundraising and failed to present a compelling case against the popular incumbent Scott.
For Upper Valley residents who watched that lopsided contest unfold, Charlestin’s lieutenant governor bid raises questions about her electoral viability. Vermont’s second-highest office has often served as a stepping stone to higher positions, making the Democratic primary particularly significant.
Charlestin framed her campaign around economic themes that could resonate across Vermont’s rural-urban divide. In her announcement, she promised to focus on “access to good education, lower costs, and economic freedom.”
“Far too many people are feeling unheard, unseen, and left out by our current leadership, so I’m running to give everyone a seat at the table,” Charlestin said in a statement.
That populist message represents a shift from her 2024 gubernatorial campaign, which never gained traction against Scott’s moderate Republican brand. The governor’s appeal extended far beyond party lines, leaving Charlestin searching for a distinct political identity.
The lieutenant governor’s race offers Charlestin a chance at political rehabilitation. The position carries fewer responsibilities than governor but provides a platform for advancing policy priorities and building statewide name recognition.
Gray enters as the presumed frontrunner, having already held the office and maintained connections throughout Vermont’s Democratic establishment. McLaren brings federal experience from his work with Welch, who has emerged as a key power broker in Vermont politics.
The Democratic primary takes place on August 11, giving candidates several months to distinguish themselves and build campaign organizations. For Charlestin, that timeline presents both opportunity and challenge as she attempts to overcome lingering questions about her 2024 performance.
Vermont’s political calendar could benefit Dartmouth students and faculty who maintain ties to the state. The Upper Valley’s cross-border connections mean Vermont elections often influence regional policy discussions, particularly around education funding and economic development initiatives that affect both states.
