Cassandra Hemenway
Vermont’s primaries are still on the horizon, but two candidates, Gabe LaJeunesse and Pelin Kohn, have announced their campaigns, one for State Senate, and one for the Vermont House. Both candidates state they are focused on affordability.
Candidates can file between April 27 and May 28 to appear on the 2026 primary election ballot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Washington County Senate
Gabriel LaJeunesse, of Montpelier, has announced his intention to run for a Washington District state senate seat.
“My campaign will prioritize affordable healthcare, sustainable housing, and economic opportunity for all,” LaJeunesse said in his campaign announcement speech in mid-February. “We need to fully fund a rapid transition to a healthcare system where everyone has access to affordable care. Our goal is to make Vermont the most competitive place in New England for young workers and families to build careers and businesses.”
LaJeunesse owns a real estate development firm, Aacred Development Holdings, LLC. He is part of a group planning a housing development on Isabel Circle in Montpelier. According to his website, gabeforvt.com, he has completed more than $20 million in housing construction “delivering 33 new homes and secur(ed) entitlements for over 75 additional units.”
State House, Washington-4 District
Two-term Montpelier City Councilor Pelin Kohn recently announced that she is planning to run for the Vermont House seat that represents Montpelier, soon to be vacated by Rep. Conor Casey (see his commentary on page 17). She made her announcement in an email as well as posting a candidate statement on YouTube.
“I am running because families should be able to stay here, young people should be able to find housing they can afford, and businesses should have the stability they need to grow,” she said in her video statement.
In an email to a small group of friends and neighbors, Kohn wrote: “Since moving to Montpelier in 2017 and serving on the city council, I’ve spent years listening to neighbors and working on the challenges our community faces. Those conversations have strengthened my belief that Montpelier can grow stronger while staying mindful of the costs families carry.”
Disclosure: LaJeunesse once served on the now disbanded Friends of The Bridge, a nonprofit organization created to raise funds for The Bridge.
