Montpelier, VT – Today, Vermont Conservation Voters (VCV) announced its endorsement of Sarah Copeland Hanzas for Vermont’s next Secretary of State.
Sarah Copeland Hanzas has a long and impressive record of public service. She has served as House Majority Leader, Chair of the Government Operations committee, member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, and as co-chair of the legislative Climate Solutions Caucus since 2019. She helped spearhead an effort by the Climate Solutions Caucus to travel around the state to hear from more than a thousand Vermonters, and brought those ideas back to Montpelier to help pass critical climate policies. Copeland Hanzas has been an effective advocate for environmental and social justice.
Through its endorsements, VCV aims to educate voters across the state on candidates whose values and actions align with our 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.
Lauren Hierl, Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters said: “With federal action stalled out, state action on climate change is more urgent than ever. We need leaders in all levels of state government who are deeply committed to addressing the climate crisis, and Sarah Copeland Hanzas has a track record of effective and passionate climate leadership.” Hierl added, “At the same time, our democracy is facing unprecedented attacks, and we need a Secretary of State who will uphold a healthy and accessible democracy for all. We believe Sarah Copeland Hanzas will be a strong fighter for a healthy democracy in these perilous times.”
Sarah Copeland Hanzas stated, “The environment wins when voters get active and participate in democracy. I want to fight to make sure our elections are free, fair, and accessible. This includes increasing civic education and making sure that Vermonters know how to choose candidates that reflect their values. The threats to democracy are complex and I want to take the skills I have learned in my 18 years in the legislature to defend democracy. I’m honored to receive this endorsement from Vermont Conservation Voters.”
For its endorsement process, VCV invites all statewide candidates to participate in an interview process. In addition to holding interviews, staff gathers information about each candidate interested in our endorsement’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 aligns with our mission. The VCV Board of Directors votes on all endorsements. For our list of endorsements, visit https://vermontconservationvoters.com/elections/, which will be continually updated as we roll out a full slate of 2022 endorsements in the coming months.
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