Dear Editor,
Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) announced its endorsement of Mike Pieciak for state treasurer of Vermont, Sept. 5. During his tenure as state treasurer, Pieciak has been an effective leader on issues aligned with Vermont Conservation Voters’ mission, championing policies that safeguard our environment and support our communities.
Through its endorsements, VCV aims to educate voters across the state on candidates whose values and actions align with their vision for Vermont to advance and defend policies that protect the environment and promote health, while advancing social, racial, and economic justice, and strengthening our democracy.
In his first term, Treasurer Pieciak helped deliver on historic climate action. Pieciak secured $15 million in relief to rebuild communities impacted by the July 2023 flooding events. He supported the passage of Vermont’s first-in-the-nation Climate Superfund so that Big Oil pays for the damages its products have caused our communities, and is taking a leading role in its implementation.
Pieciak also co-launched the bipartisan Climate Resilience Implementation Strategy to better prepare Vermont communities for a changing climate.
“We need leaders with a strong vision for Vermont and the ability to deliver meaningful change. Mike Pieciak is that leader,” said Justin Marsh, political director, Vermont Conservation Voters. “He has consistently worked to find new ways to protect our communities, our environment, and to address the climate crisis.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Vermont Conservation Voters. Vermonters know that the climate crisis is real, and it’s hurting them,” Mike Pieciak added. “Too many of our neighbors have lost their homes, their businesses, or their livelihoods to flooding and other climate disasters. My mission is to rebuild the middle class in Vermont, and that means protecting Vermonters and their communities from the climate crisis.”
Marsh added, “Thanks to Treasurer Pieciak’s Climate Credit Finance Facility, Vermont intends to invest up to $30 million in green energy production, weatherization, electrification, and climate resiliency, further cementing his commitment to solutions that better prepare Vermont for a changing climate.”
For its endorsement process, VCV invites all statewide candidates to participate in an interview process.
In addition to holding interviews, VCV staff gathers information about each interested candidate’s environmental voting record and demonstrated leadership if they previously served in office, as well as examples from their career and work they’ve done in their communities that align with our mission. The VCV board of directors votes on all endorsements.
For our current list of endorsements, visit: vermontconservationvoters.com/endorsements.
Justin Marsh on behalf of Vermont Conservation Voters
