View source for Vermont Progressive Party

{{short description|Social democratic third party in Vermont}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = Vermont Progressive Party
| logo             = Vermont Progressive Party logo.png
| logo_upright     = 1.25
| colorcode        = {{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}
| chairperson      = Bill Hunsinger
| leader1_title    = Vice Chair
| leader1_name     = Marielle Blais
| secretary        = John Christopher Brimmer
| leader2_title    = Treasurer
| leader2_name     = Will Anderson
| leader4_title    = 
| leader4_name     = 
| leader5_title    = House Leader
| leader5_name     = [[Kate Logan]]
| founded          = {{start date|1980}} Independent Coalition <br/> {{start date|1983}} Progressive Coalition <br/> 1999–2000 Vermont Progressive Party
| split            = [[Citizens Party (United States)|Citizens Party]] <br/> [[Liberty Union Party]] <br> [[Vermont Democratic Party|Democratic Party]]
| predecessor      = Franklin County Independent Coalition <br/> [[Citizens Party (United States)|Citizens Party]] <br/> [[Liberty Union Party]]
| headquarters     = [[Montpelier, Vermont]]
| youth_wing       = Progressive Youth Caucus
| ideology         = {{nowrap|[[Democratic socialism]]<ref>{{cite book|editor=Mark P. Jones |title=Voting and Political Representation in America: Issues and Trends [2 volumes] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wMLTDwAAQBAJ&q=democratic+socialism+Vermont+Progressive+Party&pg=PA665 |quote= The Vermont Progressive Party is a competitive third party that currently provides a visible democratic socialist presence in the state's politics. |date=2020 |page=202 |publisher=Mark P. Jones|isbn=9781440860850 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor=David Van Deusen |title=On Anarchism: Dispatches From the People's Republic of Vermont |date=2017|page=202 |publisher=Algora Publishing }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Platform of the Vermont Progressive Party |url=https://www.progressiveparty.org/platform |publisher=The Vermont Progressive Party |access-date=5 June 2023 |quote=We believe the economy should be democratically owned and controlled}}</ref><br>[[Social democracy]]<ref>{{Cite book |title=Social democracy after the cold war |date=2012 |publisher=AU Press |editor1-last=Evans |editor1-first=Bryan |editor2-last=Schmidt |editor2-first=Ingo |isbn=978-1-926836-88-1 |location=Edmonton |oclc=1015535562 |page=103 |quote=In addition, some notable examples of social democratic third-party success at the subnational level are the Socialist Party in Oklahoma in the 1920s and 1930s, the Non-Partisan League in North Dakota, the Washington Co-operative Commonwealth in Washington State, the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party, and the current '''Vermont Progressive Party''', which has relationship with the Democratic Party.}}</ref><br>[[Progressivism in the United States|Progressivism]]<br>[[Environmentalism]]}}
| membership       = 
| membership_year  = 
| position         = [[Left-wing politics|Left-wing]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lessons From Vermont |url=https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/08/vermont-progressive-party-bernie-sanders |publisher=[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]]|access-date=March 3, 2021|date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>
| colors           = {{color box|{{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Red]]
| seats3_title     = [[List of U.S. statewide elected officials#Vermont|Statewide Offices]]
| seats3           = {{composition bar|1|6|hex={{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}}}
| seats4_title     = [[Vermont Senate|Seats in the State Senate]]
| seats4           = {{composition bar|1|30|hex={{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}}}
| seats5_title     = [[Vermont House of Representatives|Seats in the State House]]
| seats5           = {{composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}}}
| seats6_title     = [[Side judge|Elected County Judges]]
| seats6           = {{Composition bar|1|42|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| seats7_title     = Countywide Offices
| seats7           = {{Composition bar|1|42|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| seats8_title     = [[List of cities in Vermont|Mayorships]]{{efn|Montpelier mayor [[Anne Watson]] is officially elected to a non-partisan office; however, she is designated as a member of the party.}}
| seats8           = {{composition bar|2|8|hex={{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}}}
| seats9_title     = [[Burlington, Vermont City Council|Seats on the Burlington City Council]]
| seats9           = {{composition bar|5|12|hex={{party color|Progressive Party (Vermont)}}}}
| seats10_title    = Local offices
| seats10          = '''14 (May 2024)'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Elected Progressives — The Vermont Progressive Party |url=https://www.progressiveparty.org/elected-progressives |website=progressiveparty.org |access-date=17 May 2024}}</ref>
| website          = {{url|progressiveparty.org}}
| country          = Vermont
}}

The '''Vermont Progressive Party''', formerly the '''Progressive Coalition''' and '''Independent Coalition''', is a [[political party]] in the [[United States]] that is active in [[Vermont]]. It is the third-largest political party in Vermont behind the [[Vermont Democratic Party|Democratic]] and [[Vermont Republican Party|Republican]] parties. {{As of|2023}}, the party has one member in the [[Vermont Senate]] and five members in the [[Vermont House of Representatives]], as well as several more affiliated legislators who caucus with the [[Vermont Democratic Party|Democratic Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Legislators – All Senators |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/all/2020/Senate |website=Vermont General Assembly |publisher=The State of Vermont |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Legislators – All Representatives |url=https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/all/2020/House |website=Vermont General Assembly |publisher=The State of Vermont |access-date=11 February 2019}}</ref>

The last time a third party had members elected to the state legislature in Vermont was in 1917, with the election of [[James Lawson (Vermont politician)|James Lawson]] of the [[Socialist Party of America]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1990 |title=Sanders carries independents |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81881273/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721105732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81881273/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=July 21, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=July 21, 2021 }}</ref>

==History==
===Background===
[[William H. Meyer]], a member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], was elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] from [[Vermont's at-large congressional district]] after defeating [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee [[Harold J. Arthur]] in the [[1958 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont|1958 election]]. Meyer's victory was the first time since the 1853 election that the Republicans had lost a statewide election in Vermont. Meyer was the most left-wing member of Congress from 1937 to 2002, according to [[Keith T. Poole]]. He lost reelection in the [[1960 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont|1960 election]] against Republican nominee [[Robert Stafford]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2016 |title=Then again: An unpolished public speaker brought a long losing streak to an end |work=Vermont Digger |url=https://vtdigger.org/2016/10/16/unpolished-public-speaker-brought-long-losing-streak-end/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200316/https://vtdigger.org/2016/10/16/unpolished-public-speaker-brought-long-losing-streak-end/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 2003 |title=Green Old Party |work=[[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]] |url=https://m.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/green-old-party/Content?oid=2127705 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210608124032/https://m.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/green-old-party/Content?oid=2127705 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2004 |title=Is John Kerry A Liberal? |work=[[Keith T. Poole|VoteView]] |url=https://legacy.voteview.com/Is_John_Kerry_A_Liberal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812143229/https://legacy.voteview.com/Is_John_Kerry_A_Liberal.htm |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref>

Meyer formed the [[Liberty Union Party]] at a meeting in his home with [[Peter Diamondstone]], Dennis Morrisseau, and twenty other people on June 27, 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1970 |title=Vermont Liberals Form New Party |page=1 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79781051/bennington-banner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201643/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79781051/bennington-banner/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1970 |title=New Political Organization Will Field State Candidates |page=1 |work=[[Brattleboro Reformer]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79781054/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201342/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79781054/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> Martha Abbott, a future chair of the Vermont Progressive Party, was one of the members of the Liberty Union Party's founding meeting.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 2014 |title=Liberty Union Party Sticks to Its Ideals — and Keeps Losing |work=[[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]] |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/liberty-union-party-sticks-to-its-ideals-and-keeps-losing/Content?oid=2445457 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200028/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/liberty-union-party-sticks-to-its-ideals-and-keeps-losing/Content?oid=2445457 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> [[Bernie Sanders]] joined the party in 1971, and was selected to serve as the party's candidate for a [[1972 United States Senate special election in Vermont|Senatorial special election]] at his first meeting.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_2YjBm2_JGUC |title=Outsider in the House: A Political Autobiography |last=Sanders |first=Bernie |date=September 17, 1998 |publisher=[[Verso Books]] |isbn=978-1-85984-177-8 |via=Google Books |access-date=June 18, 2021 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102142633/https://books.google.com/books?id=_2YjBm2_JGUC |url-status=live }}</ref> During his time in the party, Sanders also ran for [[United States Senate]] in the [[1974 United States Senate election in Vermont|1974 election]] and for [[Governor of Vermont|Governor]] in the [[1972 Vermont gubernatorial election|1972]] and [[1976 Vermont gubernatorial election|1976 elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=1974 U.S. Senate General Election |work=[[Secretary of State of Vermont]] |url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75975/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200528/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75975/ |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2021-06-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=1972 Governor General Election |work=[[Secretary of State of Vermont]] |url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82946/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201738/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82946/ |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2021-06-18 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=1976 Governor General Election |work=[[Secretary of State of Vermont]] |url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75962/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201941/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75962/ |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2021-06-18 }}</ref> Sanders left the Liberty Union Party on October 11, 1977.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1977 |title=Goodbye, Bernie Sanders |page=4 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79785319/bennington-banner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200650/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79785319/bennington-banner/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref>

===Progressive Coalition===
====Sanders====
[[File:Portrait of Bernie Sanders in c. 1986 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|180px|The Vermont Progressive Party originated under Mayor [[Bernie Sanders]] as the Independent Coalition during his [[1981 Burlington mayoral election|1981 mayoral campaign]] and then as the Progressive Coalition during his [[Mayoralty of Bernie Sanders|tenure]] as mayor.]]

On November 8, 1980, Sanders announced that he would run for mayor of [[Burlington, Vermont]], in the [[1981 Burlington mayoral election|1981 election]] and formally announced his campaign on December 16, at a press conference in city hall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 9, 1980 |title=Liberty Unionite to Run For Mayor of Burlington |page=19 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64275859/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201129230427/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64275859/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1980 |title=UVM Pair to Work for Independent Coalition |page=3 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64276236/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201129230834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64276236/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> Sanders had been convinced to run for the mayoralty by [[Richard Sugarman]], an Orthodox Jewish scholar at the [[University of Vermont]], who had shown Sanders a ward-by-ward breakdown of the 1976 gubernatorial election which showed Sanders receiving 12% of the vote in Burlington despite only getting 6% statewide.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 13, 2019 |title=Bernie's Red Vermont |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |url=https://newrepublic.com/article/154086/bernies-red-vermont |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200309035903/https://newrepublic.com/article/154086/bernies-red-vermont |archive-date=March 9, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> Sanders defeated incumbent Democratic Mayor [[Gordon Paquette]] by ten votes in the election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1981 |title=Sanders' Victory Affirmed |page=1 |work=[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64539653/the-times-argus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203204055/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64539653/the-times-argus/ |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> Sanders was reelected as mayor in the [[1983 Burlington mayoral election|1983]], [[1985 Burlington mayoral election|1985]], and [[1987 Burlington mayoral election|1987 elections]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1983 |title=1983 election results |page=17 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200807185644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 6, 1985 |title=1985 election results |page=2 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64665647/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201205190233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64665647/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1987 |title=1987 election results |page=2 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64684487/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201205223507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64684487/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>

During his mayoral campaign, Sanders formed the Independent Coalition which according to Richard Sartelle was to bring working people, students, college faculty, union members, and all independent-minded citizens together. Sartelle ran with the support of the Independent Coalition for a seat on the city council from the 4th district, but was defeated by the Republican nominee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 3, 1980 |title=Sartelle to Run for Alderman |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842449/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842449/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="election results 1981"/>

The [[Citizens Party (United States)|Citizens Party]] attempted to have Greg Guma run with their nomination for mayor in 1981, but Guma declined as it would be "difficult to run against another progressive candidate" and the party instead endorsed Sanders.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 1981 |title=Citizens Party Fails To Nominate Candidate |page=2 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64330793/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130193422/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64330793/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="citizens"/> [[Terry Bouricius]], a member of the Citizens Party, was elected to the city council from the 2nd district becoming the first member of the party elected to office in Vermont.<ref name="citizens">{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1981 |title=Sanders' Victory Stuns Paquette; Sprague Outpolls Cosman in Town |page=1 |work=[[Brattleboro Reformer]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79808729/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79808729/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="election results 1981">{{cite report|date=March 3, 1981 |title=Statement of Votes Annual City Meeting |publisher=[[Burlington, Vermont]] |page=1}}</ref>

Following his victory in the 1981 election, Sanders faced difficulties with the city council; this was because 11 of the 13 members of the board of alderman opposing Sanders. The council would oppose measures proposed by Sanders and override his vetoes on legislation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Bernie Sanders vs. The Machine |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/us/politics/bernie-sanders-mayor-burlington-vt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201205080418/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/us/politics/bernie-sanders-mayor-burlington-vt.html |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> Bouricius and Sadie White were the only members of the city council aligned with Sanders.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1982 |title=Sanders' Backers Break Democrats' Tight Grip On Burlington Politics |page=8 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79809422/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202659/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79809422/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> 

During the 1982 elections, Sanders endorsed Citizens nominees Richard Musty and Zoe Breiner, and independent candidate Gary DeCarolis for city council and all of them won causing the council to have five pro-Sanders members, five Republican members, and three Democratic members.<ref name="election 1982">{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1993 |title=Progressive rule |page=8 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79361289/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611130754/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79361289/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="1982 election">{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1982 |title=Sanders' Supporters Hand Burlington Democrats Decisive Setback |page=6 |work=[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64711223/the-times-argus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206050615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64711223/the-times-argus/ |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="election 1983">{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1983 |title=Elections Retains Deep Divisions Among Aldermen |page=17 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press/185047433/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> However, the Republicans and Democratic members of the city council united to select Robert Paterson, a Republican, as president of the city council instead of Sadie White, a Sanders supporter, by a vote of eight to five after six ballots and to prevent the pro-Sanders members of the city council from receiving positions. Sanders stated that "Probably the Democrats feel more comfortable dealing with the Republicans than with us".<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 6, 1982 |title=Paterson Elected Board President |page=1 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64711976/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206052153/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64711976/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref>

DeCarolis asked for members of the media to refer to him and other pro-Sanders members of the city council as the Progressive Coalition rather than as just Sanders supporters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1983 |title=In Name Only |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79812815/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524063931/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79812815/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> An organizational meeting for Progressive Coalition, which was attended by over 100 people, was held on November 10, 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 12, 1983 |title=Burlington Progressives Told to Gird for Battle |page=13 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79813094/rutland-daily-herald/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524063927/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79813094/rutland-daily-herald/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> The Progressive Coalition was not a political party, but an organization that gave out endorsements.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 17, 1984 |title=City Caucus Dates Differ This Year |page=3 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843011/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202657/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843011/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> 

During the 1984 elections, the Citizens Party only ran one candidate under its name and instead endorsed the Progressive Coalition candidates. Bouricius stated that the Citizens Party was the core of the coalition, but that the coalition was being built broader than the Citizens Party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 20, 1984 |title=Citizens Party Endorses Aldermanic Slate |page=14 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843041/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204407/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843041/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> The Progressive Coalition gained one seat from the Democratic Party during the 1984 city council elections bringing the composition of the city council to six Progressive members, five Republican members, and two Democratic members.<ref name="election 1984">{{Cite news |date=March 7, 1984 |title=Sanders Fails To Get Control |page=14 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64828400/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201207211019/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64828400/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> The Citizens Party of Vermont disbanded in 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1986 |title=Once strong Citizens Party now defunct |page=7 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79871505/bennington-banner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202141/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79871505/bennington-banner/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>

The Progressive Coalition supported [[Jesse Jackson]] during the [[1984 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1984 Democratic presidential primaries]] and later supported [[Walter Mondale]] in the [[1984 United States presidential election in Vermont|presidential election in the state]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 25, 1984 |title=Vermont Democrats Give Hart Second Victory |page=10 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844117/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201733/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844117/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="presidential election 1984">{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1984 |title=Coalition to Back Mondale Candidacy |page=13 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844206/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202919/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844206/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref>

Bouricius was selected to serve as president of the city council after thirty-one ballots and served until 1985. Bouricius was the only member of the Progressive Coalition to serve as president during [[Mayoralty of Bernie Sanders|Sanders' administration]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1984 |title=Sanders Ally Bouricius Elected Board President |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843234/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202628/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79843234/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 26, 1989 |title=Two candidates plan race for aldermanic president |page=3 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64762211/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201206225258/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64762211/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref> After the 1985 elections William Skelton, a Republican member of the city council, was selected to serve as president of the city council against the Progressive-backed Zoe Breiner as Bouricius had dropped out.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 3, 1985 |title=Progressives lose in Burlington |page=2 |work=[[Brattleboro Reformer]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79845122/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79845122/the-brattleboro-reformer/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>

====Clavelle====
The Vermont Progressive Alliance was formed by members of the Progressive Coalition and Rainbow Coalition on May 19, 1990, at [[Montpelier High School (Vermont)|Montpelier High School]] and inspired by the [[New Democratic Party]]. The organization endorsed ten independent candidates for seats in the state legislature in the 1990 election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1990 |title=Progressives, Rainbow Coalition Convene |page=5 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102442847/rutland-daily-herald/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524063929/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102442847/rutland-daily-herald/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 16, 1991 |title=Progressives lean on Canada in quest for party viability |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79934176/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203559/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79934176/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 20, 2021}}</ref> [[Terry Bouricius]] and [[Tom Smith (Vermont politician)|Tom Smith]], who were endorsed by the organization, were elected to the [[Vermont House of Representatives]] in the 1990 election becoming the first member of the Progressive Coalition to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1990 |title=Progressive group backs candidates |page=17 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79931419/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202652/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79931419/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 7, 1990 |title=First Elected |page=23 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79926723/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628094412/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79926723/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 28, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1990 |title=Newcomers look to make noise |page=7 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79926864/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629023738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79926864/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 29, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=May 24, 2022}}</ref> The Vermont Organizing Committee was formed by the organization in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1992 |title=Dean |page=7 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102443433/rutland-daily-herald/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203054837/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102443433/rutland-daily-herald/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1992 |title=Dean Irked By Donation To Progressives |page=18 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102443425/rutland-daily-herald/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203055027/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102443425/rutland-daily-herald/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

The Franklin County Independent Coalition was also formed in 1990, to support Sanders' campaign for a seat in the United States House of Representatives during the [[1990 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont|1990 election]]. The organization was founded by independent candidates for seats in the state house and Neil Bean, who was an independent member of the [[St. Albans (city), Vermont|St. Albans]] city council and also grew out of Jeff Weaver's campaign for mayor of St. Albans and Jerry Colby's 1988 and 1990 campaigns for a seat in the [[Vermont Senate]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 28, 1990 |title=Franklin group backs Sanders |page=22 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842733/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204219/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842733/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 11, 1992 |title=Building statewide |page=4 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842762/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202427/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79842762/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>

The Progressives regained control of the city council in 1994, with five of their members winning and three independents caucusing with them.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 1994 |title=Voters Demonstrate Mood of Generosity |page=1 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79478986/rutland-daily-herald/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79478986/rutland-daily-herald/ |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 3, 1994 |title=PCs cheer council win |page=1A |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press/138149221/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106111531/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press/138149221/ |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The coalition expanded to [[Brattleboro, Vermont]], with Shoshana Rihn's election to the town's select board in 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 1998 |title=Rihn, Progressives Win Big Victory |page=22 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138222580/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107111949/https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138222580/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 5, 1998 |title=Progressives make inroads in Brattleboro |page=2 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138222608/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107112120/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138222608/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Rihn was sworn in, but was removed from office after a recount reported her losing by two votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 10, 1998 |title=Rihn Loses Her Seat in Brattleboro Recount |page=16 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138222746/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107113150/https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138222746/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

===Vermont Progressive Party===
====Clavelle====
The coalition started holding caucuses in 25 towns in October 1999, to form a political party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 1999 |title=Progressive party wants to expand beyond Burlington, into Benn. Cty. |page=3A |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138223107/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107115042/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138223107/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Vermont Progressive Party was formally created after organizing in sixteen communities<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 4, 2000 |title=Progressive Party plans gubernatorial campaign |page=3 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138223140/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107115256/https://www.newspapers.com/article/bennington-banner/138223140/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and held its first convention on July 9, 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2000 |title=Progressive Party rallies the troops |page=A1 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138223199/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107115611/https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/138223199/ |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> [[Anthony Pollina]] received the party's gubernatorial nomination for the [[2000 Vermont gubernatorial election|2000 election]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 2000 |title=Progressives tap Pollina for top job |page=3 |work=[[Brattleboro Reformer]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brattleboro-reformer/163554957/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and received 9.6% of the vote,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 Governor General Election |work=[[Secretary of State of Vermont]] |url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75638/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916130839/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75638 |archive-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref> more than the 5% needed for major party status.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2000 |title=Progressives: Vt.'s new Progressive Party enjoys its first convention |page=A8 |work=[[Rutland Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rutland-daily-herald/163556135/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

====Kiss====
{{Empty section|date=November 2024}}

====Post-Kiss====
[[Emma Mulvaney-Stanak]] was the only Progressive member of the 14-member city council following the resignation of Marisa Caldwell in 2010, which was the lowest number for the party since 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 2010 |title=Caldwell: Ward 3 councilor resigns effective this weekend |page=13 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79726037/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200052/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79726037/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 3, 2010 |title=Ward 3 comes down to write-ins |page=15 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79726100/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79726100/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 18, 2021 }}</ref> The party ran and received its highest number of candidates, votes, and share of seats in the state house in the 2016 election with seven out of twenty candidates winning with a combined total of 18,954 votes.<ref name="state house results"/>

[[David Zuckerman (politician)|David Zuckerman]] was elected lieutenant governor after he used electoral fusion to receive both the Democratic and Progressive nominations.{{sfn|Johnson|2020|p=145}}

[[Robin Chesnut-Tangerman]], the leader of the Progressive caucus in the state house, lost reelection in [[2020 Vermont House of Representatives election|2020]]. [[Mollie Burke]] and [[Heather Surprenant]] did not seek reelection with the Progressive ballot line in the [[2022 Vermont House of Representatives election|2022 state house elections]] and solely ran as Democrats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mearhoff |first=Sarah |date=September 5, 2022 |title=More departures could shake up Progressive representation in the Statehouse |work=[[VTDigger]] |url=https://vtdigger.org/2022/09/05/more-departures-could-shake-up-progressive-representation-in-the-statehouse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613061732/https://vtdigger.org/2022/09/05/more-departures-could-shake-up-progressive-representation-in-the-statehouse/ |archive-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> The 2022 elections, in which the party lost two state house and one state senate seat, resulted in the entire Progressive delegation being solely from Chittenden County for the first time since 2004. Zuckerman returned to the lieutenant governorship in the [[2022 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election|concurrent election]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCallum |first=Kevin |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Why Is the Progressive Party Losing Its Luster in Montpelier? |work=[[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]] |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/why-is-the-progressive-party-losing-its-luster-in-montpelier-36988007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613062025/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/why-is-the-progressive-party-losing-its-luster-in-montpelier-36988007 |archive-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

==Platform==
The Progressive Party encompasses a [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] platform. The party's main focus has historically been advocacy for a [[single-payer health care]] system, which supported the implementation of [[Vermont health care reform#Green Mountain Care|Green Mountain Care]], a health care program that was pushed by Democratic Governor [[Peter Shumlin]] due to pressure from the Progressive Party. Other major policy platforms are renewable energy programs and a phase-out of nuclear energy, public transportation proposals including one for a high-speed rail system, criminal justice reforms directed at reducing the state's prison population and better protecting convicts' rights, the creation of programs to end homelessness in the state, ending the [[war on drugs]] and repealing [[No Child Left Behind]] and ending the focus on standardized testing in the school system. The party also has an anti-war stance, advocating for Vermont's national guard to be restricted from engaging in war zones outside the United States, an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and opposition to all preemptive wars, strikes, or other offensive or interventionist military actions. The party is very supportive of [[LGBT rights]] and members of the party were involved in the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state.

Economically, the party also calls for converting the [[minimum wage]] to a [[living wage]] and having it tied to inflation rates, having the economy focus on small and local businesses, empowerment of [[worker cooperative]]s and [[Community ownership|publicly owned]] companies as democratic alternatives to multi-national corporations and to decentralize the economy, for the strengthening of state law to protect the right to unionize, for implementing a progressive income tax and repealing the Capital Gains Tax Exemption and residential education property tax, and for all trade to be subject to international standards on human rights. The party is also critical of privatization.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.progressiveparty.org/issues/platform|title=Platform Straw Poll from September 2014 State Committee Meeting|publisher=Vermont Progressive Party|access-date=January 24, 2016}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
===Presidential===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{|class=wikitable
|+President
|-
!Election year
!Vote percentage
!+/–
!Votes
!Presidential candidate
!Vice presidential candidate
!Result
!Reference
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
![[1984 United States presidential election in Vermont|1984]]
|{{Composition bar|40.83|100|hex={{party color|Democratic Party (United States)}}}}
|{{steady}}
|95,730
|[[Walter Mondale]]
|[[Geraldine Ferraro]]
|'''Lost'''
|<ref name="presidential election 1984"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1981 |title=1984 President General Election |work=[[Secretary of State of Vermont]] |url=https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75843/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524063929/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75843/ |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>
|- {{Party shading/Republican}}
! [[2000 United States presidential election in Vermont|2000]]
| {{Composition bar|6.92|hex={{party color|Green Party of the United States}}}}
| {{steady}}
| 20,374
| [[Ralph Nader]]
| [[Winona LaDuke]]
| '''Lost'''
| <ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Ashley |title=Vermont's Cautionary Tale |url=https://jacobin.com/2016/08/vermont-progressives-vpp-sanders-democrats-independent/ |work=Jacobin |date=August 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leip |first1=Dave |title=2000 Presidential General Election Results: Vermont |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2000&fips=50&f=1&off=0&elect=0&minper=0 |website=Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas |access-date=May 10, 2025}}</ref>
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

===State legislature===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{|class=wikitable
|+Vermont<br />House of Representatives
|-
!Election year
!Votes
!No. of<br />candidates
!No. of<br />overall seats won
!+/–
!Reference
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!1992
|7,389
|8
|{{Composition bar|2|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results">{{Cite news |date=January 25, 2017 |title=Vermont Progressive Party 2016 Showing for State Representative Set a New Party Record |work=[[Ballot Access News]] |url=https://ballot-access.org/2017/01/25/vermont-progressive-party-2016-showing-for-state-representative-set-a-new-party-record/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203055757/https://ballot-access.org/2017/01/25/vermont-progressive-party-2016-showing-for-state-representative-set-a-new-party-record/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!1994
|3,337
|6
|{{Composition bar|2|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!1996
|3,937
|4
|{{Composition bar|3|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 1
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!1998
|2,565
|5
|{{Composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 1
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
!2000
|7,925
|10
|{{Composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
!2002
|4,287
|10
|{{Composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2004
|12,039
|11
|{{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 2
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2006
|14,135
|17
|{{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2008
|13,774
|12
|{{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{decrease}} 1
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2010
|7,563
|11
|{{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2012
|10,284
|11
|{{Composition bar|5|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2014
|8,321
|13
|{{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 1
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
!2016
|18,954
|20
|{{Composition bar|7|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{increase}} 1
|<ref name="state house results"/>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
![[2018 Vermont House of Representatives election|2018]]
|21,420
|17
|{{Composition bar|7|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Vermont Progressive Party Elected Nine State Legislators |work=[[Ballot Access News]] |url=https://ballot-access.org/2018/11/15/vermont-progressive-party-elected-nine-state-legislators/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203060640/https://ballot-access.org/2018/11/15/vermont-progressive-party-elected-nine-state-legislators/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
![[2020 Vermont House of Representatives election|2020]]
|20,362
|14
|{{Composition bar|7|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{steady}}
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 2020 |title=Vermont Progressive Party Elects Nine Legislators |work=[[Ballot Access News]] |url=https://ballot-access.org/2020/11/16/vermont-progressive-party-elects-nine-legislators/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203060552/https://ballot-access.org/2020/11/16/vermont-progressive-party-elects-nine-legislators/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
![[2022 Vermont House of Representatives election|2022]]
|9,740
|10
|{{Composition bar|6|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{decrease}} 1
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 23, 2022 |title=Vermont Progressive Party Elected Six Legislators |work=[[Ballot Access News]] |url=https://ballot-access.org/2022/11/23/vermont-progressive-party-elected-six-legislators/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203060450/https://ballot-access.org/2022/11/23/vermont-progressive-party-elected-six-legislators/ |archive-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
![[2024 Vermont House of Representatives election|2024]]
|9,740
|10
|{{Composition bar|4|150|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
|{{decrease}} 2
|
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
|}
{{col-end}}

=== Burlington ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! [[Burlington, Vermont City Council|Burlington City Council]]
! [[List of mayors of Burlington, Vermont|Mayor]]
! Ref
! Control
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
! [[1982 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1982]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Bernie Sanders]]
| <ref name="election 1982"/><ref name="1982 election"/>
| Republican
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
! [[1983 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1983]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Bernie Sanders]]
| <ref name="election 1983"/>
| Republican
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1984 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1984]]
| {{Composition bar|6|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Bernie Sanders]]
| <ref name="election 1984"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
! [[1985 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1985]]
| {{Composition bar|6|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Bernie Sanders]]
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=March 7, 1985 |title=Sanders credits supporters |page=6 |work=[[Bennington Banner]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844924/bennington-banner/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210619115218/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79844924/bennington-banner/ |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=June 19, 2021 }}</ref>
| Republican
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1994 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1994]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| did not control
| <ref name="1994 to 2002">{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2002 |title=City GOP gains spirit, not seats |page=11 |work=[[The Burlington Free Press]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79426814/the-burlington-free-press/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203029/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79426814/the-burlington-free-press/ |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1995 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1995]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1996 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1996]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1997 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1997]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1998 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1998]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[1999 Burlington, Vermont city council election|1999]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[2000 Burlington, Vermont city council election|2000]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[2001 Burlington, Vermont city council election|2001]]
| {{Composition bar|6|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[2002 Burlington, Vermont city council election|2002]]
| {{Composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Peter Clavelle]]
| <ref name="1994 to 2002"/>
| Progressive
|-{{Party shading/Vermont Progressive}}
! [[2022 Burlington, Vermont city council election|2022]]
| {{Composition bar|6|12|hex={{party color|Vermont Progressive Party}}}}
| [[Emma Mulvaney-Stanak]]
| <ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 2022 |title=Progressives Hold Their Ground in Burlington City Council Elections |work=[[Seven Days (newspaper)|Seven Days]] |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2022/03/01/progressives-hold-their-ground-in-burlington-city-council-elections |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203060249/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2022/03/01/progressives-hold-their-ground-in-burlington-city-council-elections |archive-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
| Progressive
|-
|}

== Elected officials ==
=== State ===
'''[[Government of Vermont|Statewide office]]'''
* [[David Zuckerman (politician)|David Zuckerman]] (P/D), [[List of lieutenant governors of Vermont|Lieutenant Governor of Vermont]] (2017–2021); (2023–2025)
* [[Doug Hoffer]] (D/P), [[Vermont Auditor of Accounts]] (2013–present)

'''[[Vermont Senate]]'''
* [[President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate|President pro tempore]] [[Tim Ashe]] (D/P), [[Chittenden Vermont Senate District, 2002–2012|Chittenden]], with 5 others (3 D, 1 D/P, 1 P/D) (2009–2021)
* Senator [[Philip Baruth]] (D/P) [[Chittenden Vermont Senate District, 2002–2012|Chittenden]] with 5 others (3 D, 1 D/P, 1 P/D) (2011–present)
* Senator [[Cheryl Hooker]] (D/P) [[Rutland County, Vermont|Rutland]] with 2 others (2 R) (2019–present)
* Senator [[Tanya Vyhovsky]] (P/D), [[Chittenden Vermont Senate District, 2002–2012|Chittenden]], with 5 others (3 D, 2 D/P) (2017–present)
* Senator [[Andrew Perchlik]] (D/P), [[Washington Vermont Senate District, 2002–2012|Washington]], with 2 others (1 D, 1 P/D) (2019–present)
* Senator [[Anthony Pollina]] (P/D), [[Washington Vermont Senate District, 2002–2012|Washington]], with 2 others (1 D, 1 D/P) (2011–2023)

'''[[Vermont House of Representatives]]'''
* Rep. [[Mollie Burke]] (P), Windham-3-2, single member district (2009–present)
* Rep. [[Robin Chesnut-Tangerman]] (P), Rutland-Bennington, single member district (2015–present)
* Rep. [[Brian Cina]] (P), Chittenden-6-4, with 1 (P) (2017–present)
* Rep. [[Selene Colburn]] (P), Chittenden-6-4, with 1 (P) (2017–present)
* Rep. [[Mari Cordes]] (D/P), Addison-4, with 1 (D) (2019–present)
* Rep. [[Diana Gonzalez]] (P), Chittenden-6-7, with 1 (D) (2015–present)
* Rep. [[Sandy Haas]] (P), Windsor-Rutland-2, single member district (2005–present)
* Rep. [[Troy Headrick]] (P), Chittenden-15 (2023–present)
* Rep. [[Zachariah Ralph]] (P), Windsor-1, with 1 (D) (2019–present)

=== County ===
* [[Chittenden County, Vermont|Chittenden County]]
** Daniel L. Gamelin (D/P/R), [[High Bailiff (Vermont)|High Bailiff]] (2011–present)
* [[Essex County, Vermont|Essex County]]
** [[Vincent Illuzzi]] (R/P/D/L), [[State's Attorney]] (1999–present)
** Trevor Colby (R/P), [[Sheriff]] (2011–present)
* [[Grand Isle County, Vermont|Grand Isle County]]
** Ray C. Allen (D/P/R), Sheriff (2015–present)
* [[Windham County, Vermont|Windham County]]
** Alan Blood (P), [[Justice of the Peace#Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont|Justice of the Peace]], [[Putney, Vermont|Putney]], with 9 (8 D, 1 P) (2019–present)
** Edith Gould (P), Justice of the Peace, Putney, with 9 (8 D, 1 P) (2017–present)
* [[Caledonia County]]
** Christian Bradley Hubbs (P), Justice of the Peace, [[Burke, Vermont|Burke]], with 6 (2 R, 2 I, 2 D) (2019–present)

=== Municipal ===
==== City ====
* [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]]
** City Council<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vtdigger.org/2020/03/03/progressive-jane-stromberg-unseats-democrat-adam-roof-in-burlington-council-race/|title=Progressives take control of Burlington City Council|date=Mar 4, 2020|website=VTDigger|access-date=Jun 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lamdin |first1=Courtney |title=Progressive Joe Magee Wins Burlington Council Seat in Special Election |url=https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2021/08/17/progressive-joe-magee-wins-burlington-council-seat-in-special-election |website=Off Message |publisher=Seven Days VT}}</ref>
*** Perri Freeman (Central District-Ward 2 & 3) (2019–present)
*** Jack Hanson (East District-Ward 1 & 8) (2019–present)
*** Zoraya Hightower (Ward 1) (2020–present)
*** Max Tracy (Ward 2) (2012–present)
*** Joe Magee (Ward 3) (2021–present)
*** Ali Dieng (D/P) (Ward 7) (2017–present)
*** Jane Stromberg (Ward 8) (2020–present)
** Ward Clerk<ref name=BurlingtonPDF>{{cite web|url=https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/GEMS%20ELECTION%20SUMMARY%20REPORT_0.pdf|title=Election Summary Report: Annual City Election|date=March 5, 2019}}</ref>
*** Wendy Coe (Ward 2) (2010–present)
** Ward Inspector<ref name=BurlingtonPDF/>
*** Jane Stromberg (Ward 1) (2019–present)
*** Alex Rose (Ward 2) (2019–present)
*** Kit Andrews (Ward 3) (2013–present)
*** Bonnie Filker (Ward 3) (2019–present)
* [[Montpelier, Vermont|Montpelier]]
** Mayor
*** [[Anne Watson]]{{efn|Watson is officially elected to a non-partisan office; however, she is designated as a member of the party.}} (2018–2022)

==== Town ====
* [[Springfield, Vermont|Springfield]]
** Selectboard
*** Stephanie Thompson (2010–present)
* [[Fairlee, Vermont|Fairlee]]
** Zoning and Planning Administrator
*** John Christopher Brimmer (2012–present)
* [[Berlin, Vermont|Berlin]]
** Selectboard
*** Jeremy Hansen (2013–present)
* [[Richmond, Vermont|Richmond]]
** Selectboard
*** Steve May (2016–present)
* The party also has a significant number of its members elected to other local offices in town governments and appointed to serve as town officials. However, in Vermont these elections are [[non-partisan]] and no party name appears before their names on election ballots or during an appointment process.

== Party leaders ==
The current chair of the Vermont Progressive Party is Bill Hunsinger<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coordinating Committee |url=https://www.progressiveparty.org/coco |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=The Vermont Progressive Party |language=en-US}}</ref>. 

State Senator and former Gubernatorial nominee and Congressional candidate [[Anthony Pollina]], and the former vice-chair, Marielle Blais, lead the state party until 2025. Secretary Chris Brimmer, also the Chair of the Caledonia County Committee, has served since 2009. The current Treasurer is Robert Millar, who briefly served as Acting Chair in 2001, and Assistant Treasurer Martha Abbott previously served as Treasurer and twice as chair. After being in the position of Acting Chair while the State Committee was not formalized, Heather Riemer served as the party's first chair at its formation as a statewide party in 1999. The position of executive director was added in 2011, and since 2015 has been the party's only paid staff, and has been occupied by Joshua Wronski. Current Treasurer Robert Millar previously served as executive director from 2011 to 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://progressiveparty.org/staff|title=Staff: Executive Director|website=Vermont Progressive Party}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vtdigger.org/2018/06/13/vermont-progressive-party-nominate-candidates-statewide-office|title=Vermont Progressive Party nominate candidates for statewide office|last=Press Release|date=2018-06-13|work=VTDigger|access-date=2018-11-02|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://vtdigger.org/2019/11/19/progressives-reelect-pollina-party-chair-seek-to-grow-numbers|title=Progressives Reelect Pollina party Chair, seek to grow numbers|last=Landen|first=Xander|date=2019-11-19|work=VTDigger|access-date=2019-11-19|language=en-US}}</ref> 

* Chair: Bill Hunsinger (2025-present)
* Vice Chair: Cindy Weed (2025-present)
* Secretary: John Christopher Brimmer (2009–present)
* Treasurer: Robert Millar (2019–present)
* Assistant Treasurer: Martha Abbott (2019–present)
* Executive Director: Joshua Wronski (2015–2025)
* Member Organizer: Yvanita Nolan (2023–2025)
* Senate Caucus Leader: Anthony Pollina (2013–present)
* Senate Caucus Whip: Christopher Pearson (2017–present)
* House Caucus Leader: Robin Chesnut-Tangerman (2017–present)
* House Caucus Whip: Diana Gonzalez (2017–present)
* Youth/Student Caucus Leader: Carter Neubieser (2015–present)
* '''Coordinating Committee''':
** Nick Clark
** Carter Neubieser
** Adam Norton
** Zachariah Ralph
** Tanya Vyhovsky
** [[Cindy Weed]]
** Regional Advisers ''(Non-voting)'':
*** West-Central: Finnian Boardman Abbey
*** East-Central: Traven Leyshon
*** Northern: Jackie Stanton
*** Southeast: Pamela Whitefield
*** Southwest: Tim Guiles

=== Timeline of party Chairs ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center";
!#
!Name
!Term
|-style="background:#EFEFCF;"
| –
|Heather Riemer<br>{{small|''Acting''}}
|1995–1999
|-
|1
|Heather Riemer
|1999–2001
|-style="background:#EFEFCF;"
| –
|Robert Millar<br>{{small|''Acting''}}
|2001
|-
|2
|Martha Abbott
|2001–2005
|-
|3
|Marrisa S. Caldwell
|2005–2007
|-
|4
|[[Anthony Pollina]]
|2007–2009
|-
|5
|Martha Abbott
|2009–2013
|-
|6
|[[Emma Mulvaney-Stanak]]
|2013–2017
|-
|7
|[[Anthony Pollina]]
|2017–2025
|-
|8
|Bill Hunsinger
|2025-present
|}

==See also==
* [[Bull Moose Party|Progressive Party (United States, 1912)]] (Bull Moose Party)
* [[Progressive Party (United States, 1924–1934)]]
* [[Progressive Party (United States, 1948–1955)]]
* [[California Progressive Party]]
* [[Oregon Progressive Party]]
* [[Washington Progressive Party]]
* [[Wisconsin Progressive Party]]
* [[Minnesota Progressive Party]]
* [[Green Party (United States)]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Works cited==
* {{cite book|last=Johnson |first=Bertram |title=Beyond Donkeys and Elephants: Minor Political Parties in Contemporary American Politics |publisher=[[University Press of Kansas]] |date=2020 |doi=10.2307/j.ctv15tt76n |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv15tt76n |isbn=978-0-7006-2929-9}}

==Further reading==
* Bouricius, Terry. "Lessons of the Vermont progressive party." in ''Empowering Progressive Third Parties in the United States'' (Routledge, 2015). 62-84.

==External links==
*{{official website}}
*[http://www.populist.com/09.7.pedersen.html Article on the Vermont Progressive Party from The Progressive Populist]

{{VermontPoliticalParties}}
{{United States state and local political parties}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vermont Progressive Party}}
[[Category:1999 establishments in Vermont]]
[[Category:Democratic socialist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:National Progressive Party (United States) state affiliates|Vermont]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1999]]
[[Category:Political parties in Vermont|Progressive Party]]
[[Category:Progressive parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Progressivism in the United States]]
[[Category:Social democratic parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Regional and state political parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Political parties in the United States]]
[[Category:State and local socialist parties in the United States]]
[[Category:Socialism in Vermont]]