Democratic Town Committee Primary Questions & Answers

Start here: why this matters (and what to do)

A small group is trying to take control of the Middlebury Democratic Town Committee through a forced primary election. If Democrats who support the current, endorsed committee don’t show up and vote, the Town Committee could change hands—quickly and completely.

Vote in the Democratic Town Committee Primary on Tuesday, March 3 from 6 am - 8 pm at Shepardson, and vote for the endorsed candidates. On the ballot, the endorsed candidates will be listed first, and each endorsed candidate will have an asterisk (*) next to their name—so when in doubt, remember our slogan: “Vote for the Stars.” This Q&A explains what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can help.

What is happening on March 3?

On Tuesday, March 3, registered Democrats in Middlebury will vote in a Democratic Town Committee (DTC) primary election. This election will determine who serves on Middlebury’s Democratic Town Committee moving forward, and we encourage Democrats to vote for the endorsed candidates—the first 25 names on the ballot marked with an asterisk (*), or as we say: Vote for the Stars.

What is the Democratic Town Committee (DTC)?

The Democratic Town Committee is the official local Democratic organization in Middlebury. It supports Democratic candidates, organizes voter outreach, strengthens community engagement, and helps ensure local Democrats have a strong and effective voice in town government, which is why this election—and choosing the endorsed candidates who have been doing the work—matters so much.

Why is there a primary for the Town Committee?

A primary happens when there is more than one group of candidates seeking election to the Town Committee. This year, a petition was filed to force a primary election rather than accepting the results of the caucus endorsement process, and as a result, Democrats will now decide the outcome directly at the ballot box by choosing which group should represent the Democratic Party locally.

What does this mean for Middlebury Democrats?

This means that your vote directly decides who controls the Democratic Town Committee. This is not a small procedural issue—it impacts the direction of the local Democratic Party, how well we organize for upcoming elections, and whether the committee continues to move forward or is pulled backward, which is why it is so important to vote and support the endorsed candidates on March 3.

Who is running in the March 3 primary?

There are two competing sets of candidates running for the Democratic Town Committee. One slate is the endorsed Town Committee made up of residents who have been doing the work of organizing, rebuilding, and showing up consistently, and the other slate is seeking to replace the committee through this primary process, you can find the full list on the Town Clerk’s page here. The endorsed candidates will appear first on the ballot and will have an asterisk (*) next to each name, which is why we are reminding voters to Vote for the Stars.

How will I know which candidates are the endorsed Town Committee?

The endorsed candidates will be listed as the first 25 names on the ballot, and each endorsed candidate will have an asterisk (*) next to their name, so voters can identify them quickly and confidently—Vote for the Stars.

Who are the endorsed candidates?

We are: Don Andrews, Katharina Anger, Donna Bannon, Maryann Barra, Ralph Barra, Karen Bertelsen, Charles Couture, Edwin H. Durgy, Janice Joseph, Allison L. Kimble-Cusano, John Klemundt, Charles L. Larkin IV, Patricia Lindenman, Katherine Martin, Shannon Martin, Janice Paul, Sarah Proulx, Sally Romano, Jordan Santos, Dana Shepard, Carol Taylor, Paul Taylor, Barbara Yantorno, Christian Yantorno, and Michael Yantorno. Each endorsed candidate will have an asterisk (*) next to their name, so voters can identify them quickly and confidently—Vote for the Stars.

Why should I care who’s on the Town Committee?

The Town Committee impacts real outcomes because it shapes how Democrats communicate with residents, how well we turn voters out, how supported local candidates feel, and whether Middlebury Democrats grow stronger or become divided and less effective. Strong local leadership and organization matter, and this vote directly affects both, which is why supporting the endorsed candidates is so important.

What has the current Town Committee been working on?

The current committee has been focused on rebuilding trust, improving transparency, and increasing participation in Middlebury’s local Democratic Party. We have worked to strengthen organizing, support candidates and community engagement, and make it easier for Democrats to get involved and stay informed, and we are asking voters to support the endorsed candidates to keep that progress moving forward. This website you are on was built by the current town committee - the stars.

What has the current Town Committee accomplished over the past two years?

When the current Middlebury Democratic Town Committee stepped into office nearly two years ago, we began with very limited resources—essentially a PO box, a bank account with less than $20, and a commitment to rebuild an active local Democratic organization. Since then, we have held consistent monthly meetings, built a new website that has reached thousands of residents, established an active social media presence, represented Middlebury Democrats at state events including the State Convention, supported successful positive campaigns that helped win seats on the Board of Finance, Treasurer, and Police Commission, hosted numerous community and candidate events across town, and welcomed dozens of first-time participants into local government and party involvement. Most importantly, we have worked to rebuild a Town Committee that is active, open, and focused on serving Democrats across Middlebury.

Isn’t this just internal politics?

We understand why it can feel like “inside politics,” but this election determines who leads the official Democratic Town Committee in Middlebury, and that affects turnout, candidate support, communication, and our ability to win local elections. This is ultimately about the future direction of Democratic organizing in our town, which is why your vote on March 3 matters.

How do I vote in the March 3 primary?

To vote in this primary, you must be a registered Democrat in Middlebury. Voting will be March 3 from 6 am - 8 pm at Shepardson Community Center, and when you vote, look for the endorsed candidates listed first with an asterisk (*) next to each name—Vote for the Stars.

I’m a Democrat but I’m not sure I’m registered. Can I still vote?

Only registered Democrats can vote in a Democratic primary, so if you are not sure of your registration status, we encourage you to check now so there are no surprises on Election Day and so you can participate fully by voting for the endorsed candidates on March 3.

What if I can’t vote that day? Is there early voting?

Some residents have asked about early voting, and Town Committee primaries have different rules than other elections and do not have early voting. We are actively seeking clarity on absentee voting, and we will share accurate guidance as soon as it is confirmed.

Why are you emphasizing turnout so much?

Turnout is critical in a Town Committee primary because these elections can be decided by a relatively small number of votes. If Democrats who support the endorsed committee don’t vote, the outcome can shift quickly, so the simplest and most important thing supporters can do is show up and vote on March 3 and remember: the endorsed candidates are the first 25 names with an asterisk (*)—Vote for the Stars.

How can I stay informed between now and March 3?

We will continue to share updates through our website, our Facebook page, and our email list. If you would like to receive updates directly, you can email us at middlebury.democrats@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list.

What is the message from the endorsed Town Committee?

We believe Middlebury Democrats deserve a Town Committee that is transparent, community-centered, welcoming to volunteers, and focused on winning elections the right way, and we believe the committee should be built on participation and trust rather than control. If you agree, we hope you will vote on March 3 for the endorsed candidates listed first with an asterisk (*)—Vote for the Stars.

Final reminder: what should I do right now?

The most important steps are to confirm you are registered as a Democrat in Middlebury, mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 3, and encourage another Democrat to vote too. When you vote, choose the endorsed candidates—the first 25 names with an asterisk (*)—and Vote for the Stars.