I'm happy to support Chris Winters for Vermont Secretary of State. He has demonstrated a commitment to public service and good government, and to election integrity, transparency, and non-partisanship. He's exactly what Vermont needs at a time when the integrity of our elections is at risk across the country. Vermont is lucky to have him.

As the past Colchester Town Clerk/Treasurer and member of the Vermont Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association, I served the Association for 10 years as chair of the Legislative Committee. I had the opportunity to work often with Deputy Secretary of State Chris Winters. I appreciated his sincerity in solving problems and collaborating with the clerks through the years. As municipal clerks, we need to know we have a Secretary of State with an open mind, that we can trust to listen and engage on difficult issues. Chris has the qualities we need in our next Secretary of State. His existing skills, relationships, years of experience, and unmatched dedication to serving Vermont make him uniquely qualified for the job.

Vermont has led the way in safe and accessible elections, and in professional regulation, setting an example for the rest of the country to follow. Both of these issues are critical - elections as the very bedrock of our democracy, and professional regulation is important to public protection, our Vermont workforce, and the economy. For many years, Chris Winters has led the Secretary of State’s legislative agenda with professionalism, integrity, kindness, and even a little bit of humor. He does the hard work behind the scenes to get results for Vermont. He’s the kind of leader - the kind of person - I want to see in the Secretary of State’s Office.

Chris Winters is undoubtedly the best candidate for Secretary of State. I worked with him for 16 years and found him unfailingly honest, direct, knowledgeable, and hardworking. While working in the Secretary of State’s office, he made it much easier for businesses and licensed professionals to operate in our state. He was instrumental in ensuring that Vermont elections are accountable and guaranteeing that registered Vermonters are free to exercise their rights and responsibilities to vote. I support Chris Winters for Secretary of State without reservation. Please vote.

I chaired the House Government Operations Committee in the Legislature. We had oversight responsibility for the Secretary of State’s Office where I got to see Chris Winters go about his work as the Director of Professional Regulation. I saw an honest and determined leader taking an innovative approach to regulation and public protection. Chris is smart, hard working, and obviously cares deeply about Vermont. He’s a great listener who reaches out to others when making decisions. Chris’ strong administrative competence and leadership skills are exactly what we need in the Secretary of State’s Office right now.

When voting rights are being challenged across the country, I am proud of the progress Vermont has made to protect and expand the right to vote. Vermont’s Secretary of State’s Office has been nationally recognized for the integrity of their election’s process. As a State Senator I’ve played a small part in this work and now fully appreciate the importance of who runs this Office. Too much is at stake to trust this Office to just anyone. We need an experienced leader, someone who has helped oversee Vermont’s elections from the inside. In Chris Winters we have a Deputy Secretary of State, a proven leader ready to step in and lead this work. Chris has been part of the leadership team in the Secretary of State’s Office for decades. His dedication, skill and work ethic were on full display in 2020 as he worked closely with the Legislature, town clerks, health officials and other stakeholders to lead Vermont through successful elections in the middle of a pandemic. I’ve worked closely with Chris Winters, I trust Chris Winters. It is essential that Vermonters trust this Office and its leader. And, this is why I am voting for Chris Winters to be Vermont’s next Secretary of State.

As a City Councilor and a State Senator, I have often turned to the Secretary of State’s Office for advice on the open meeting law and the public records act. I have seen Secretary Jim Condos and Deputy Secretary Chris Winters come to South Burlington to educate the public and take time to answer questions around transparency, accountable government and the public’s right to know. Chris has always been available and immediately responsive to me and to my constituents when I’ve asked for his help with the open meeting law. His answers are thorough and clear, and when there are gray areas, he errs on the side of open government. I’m thrilled that he’s running - I know that he’ll bring the same ethics, expertise and commitment to service to his work as our next Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State’s Office is one that any citizen can easily access for assistance on many issues from campaign information to professional licensing to voting access and more. Chris Winters has played an important role in ensuring that Vermonters and municipalities are protected when it comes to many government regulations. I was fortunate to get to know Chris when I ran for the House in 2018 and 2020. His expertise in campaign finance was invaluable. He was always there to answer my questions, of which there were many! This is just a small part of his work in the office, but it demonstrates his friendly and supportive demeanor, his attention to detail, and his dedication to the democratic process in our state. The excellent work the SOS office has done in times of cyber threats and challenges to our democracy is commendable. As Deputy Secretary of State for several years, Chris has what it takes to continue this effort with consistency and integrity. I wholeheartedly encourage Vermonters to support this work by electing Chris Winters for Secretary of State!

I’ve known Chris for many years now, and in that time, he’s proved his dedication to serving Vermont through his years of service at the Secretary of State’s Office. He works hard to understand the issues, build coalitions, and make Vermont a better place. Chris has both the character and the drive to be a champion for all of us and keep the Secretary of State’s Office on the right track.

Chris has been deeply involved in serving Vermont and protecting Vermonters for decades. I have seen him roll up his sleeves as a school board member and do the hard work behind the scenes as Deputy Secretary of State. I trust that he will act with integrity as our next Secretary of State - Chris Winters is getting my vote.

Today, the work of the Secretary of State’s Office is more challenging and complex than ever. Vermont needs stability and continuity in that very important Office. I was the previous Chair of the House Committee on Government Operations and am a current member of the Appropriations Committee where I have a lot of insight into the Office and how it works. I know Chris Winters is ready to lead the Secretary of State’s Office, because I have seen him do the work as Deputy Secretary of State. Chris is the most qualified person for the position, without a doubt. In all he does, Chris exemplifies fairness, thoughtfulness and inspires trust and good will from those around him. Please support Chris Winters for Secretary of State.

Ginny Lyons, Williston - State Senator Chittenden County, Chair, Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chris Bray, New Haven - State Senator, Addison District, Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy Brian Campion, Bennington - State Senator, Chair of the Committee on Education Bobby Star, North Troy - State Senator, Essex-Orleans District, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee Ann Cummings, Montpelier - Senator Washington County, Senate Finance Chair Michael Sirotkin - Chair, Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Alice Emmons, Springfield - Chair, House Committee on Corrections and Institutions Dick McCormack, Bethel - State Senator Windsor County Peter Anthony, Barre - State Representative Jim Masland, Thetford - State Representative Cheryl Hooker, Rutland - District Senator Linda Martin, Wolcott - Former State Representative, Town Clerk, Vice Chair of Government Operations Cindy Weed, Enosburgh Falls - Former State Representative Marcia Gardner, Richmond - Former State Representative Carolyn Branagan, Georgia - Former State Representative Michel Consejo, Sheldon - Former State Representative Warren Kitzmiller, Montpelier - State Representative Tess Taylor, Barre - Former State Representative Phil Winters, Williamstown - Former State Representative Kirk White, Bethel - State Representative Tom Bock, Chester -Representative Peg Flory, Pittsford - Former State Senator, Rutland District Will Stevens, Shoreham - Former State Representative and Owner of Golden Russet Farm Mary Hooper, Montpelier - Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Rob LaClair, Barre Town - State Representative Dennis Devereux, Mt. Holly - Former State Representative Jim Harrison, Chittenden - State Representative Bob Hooper, Burlington - State Representative Johannah "Joey" Donovan, Burlington - Former State Representative Joanna Cole, Burlington - Former State Representative Linda Joy Sullivan, Dorset - State Representative Mary Howard, Rutland - State Representative Brian Collamore, Rutland - State Senator Bob Helm, Fair Haven - State Representative