Regional collaboration and coordination. We need to use our state's strengths and resources better, which could mean sharing resoures across regions, when appropriate. Windham County, for example, is piloting a new county structure, led by its sheriff's department, to allow the municipalities in the county better access to law enforcement assistance when they need it. School districts are purchasing goods and services together to take advantage of scale. More of these types of structures are needed to make sure our state thrives in the coming decades.
Energy diversification and transformation. I support for both of these for their national security and economic benefits.
Education outcomes. I support strong teaching and community partnerships as important components of larger districts. I also encourage partners to evaluate proficiency-based learning and screens to understand if they are leading to better outcomes and if not, look for alternatives to supporting better student learning.
Compromise: Legislation that is the result of a healthy process is important in making sure it is durable and effective.
Economic development and support: make it easier for innovation and small businesses, which are important to Vermont's economic future.
This election, I have decided that I will only accept donations and endorsements from constituents, or people who are eligible to vote for me directly.
I believe it is important that the people supporting elected officials be represented by them.
I am still interested in hearing about issues that matter to individual constituents that may be similar to issues in other places. However, for any policy to be successful in the long-term, it must take into account and have the support of the local community it impacts.
If more candidates did this, it would start to rebalance our politics in a way that election results would align more with the majority of voters. 45% of voters now consider themselves independent of either party, which is up from 30% in recent years (from a January 12, 2026 Gallup article). This seems like a signal that more elected officials need to talk with and hear our voters. Taking this step is one way I am trying to change this.
There are other entities besides a candidate’s campaign that can be formed to influence voters, namely Political Action Committees and Super Political Action Committees. Though I cannot necessarily direct these types of entities from trying to persuade voters for or against my election, when I am aware of them, I will name them here.
For additional background on what PACs and Super PACs are, and how they differ, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has a helpful explainer and comparison chart here.
Briefly, PACs are limited in how much they are allowed to accept in donations and may contribute directly to a candidate’s campaign. For example, the South Burlington Democratic Committee is organized as a municipal political party committee and occasionally pays for advertisements for South Burlington candidates. Super PACs, however, are required by law to avoid contact with any specific candidate or campaign, to avoid “coordination” but have no limits placed on them in terms of how much money they can spend. However, often, Super PACs get around the coordination restriction by employing the same staff as the candidate they are trying to get elected or by the candidate raising money for the Super PAC. If re-elected, I will support legislation that ensures separation of candidates and Super PACs, and I will not coordinate with any Super PACs for this or any future election.
"Kate Nugent has proven herself to be unfailingly smart, thoughtful, and energetic. She is also a personification of integrity. Her deep commitment to our community as well as her outstanding work ethic have been demonstrated throughout her work with the Board of Civil Authority and the Rotary. She has listened, she has sought residents’ participation in process, she has sought common ground. I am grateful that Kate is now seeking to serve our community as a state representative. She would represent us very, very well," -- Maida F. Townsend, former South Burlington State Representative
Paid for by Kate Nugent for South Burlington | 18 Barrett Street, South Burlington, VT 05403 | 802-391-4095