Affordable Housing Solutions: We need to make it easier for working Vermonters to build, buy, and keep homes in the communities they call home. Every year, millions of federal dollars go unclaimed, and that needs to change. We need long-term housing solutions that do not shift every two years, while still respecting the rights of property owners. If you work hard, pay your taxes, and follow the law, government should not make it harder for you to use your property responsibly.
Put Students First and Fight Against Forced Mergers: Our schools should be guided by the people closest to our students: local educators, school boards, and community members. As property taxes rise, families deserve to see stronger educational outcomes. Real, lasting improvement takes time, local input, and a commitment to putting students first.
Restore Trust and Accountability in State Government: Vermonters deserve a government that listens, follows through, and works across the aisle to get results. That means listening to constituents, reviewing the laws already on the books, and asking whether they are actually working and being enforced. Good government starts with accountability.
Craft Legislation that Helps the Community—not Just Vote the Party Line: I am not going to Montpelier to vote the party line. I am going to represent my community. I do not vote straight party tickets, because labels do not solve problems. There are good people and good ideas on all sides of the aisle, and it is time to put politics aside and get to work for the people we serve.
I am asking for your vote so I can be a strong, practical voice for our community at the State House. I want to advance legislation that supports farmers while protecting the environment, stands with our first responders—both paid and volunteer—and makes it easier for people to get the medical care they need. I also believe in supporting programs like 3SquaresVT and the Vermont Foodbank for neighbors facing hard times, while working on policies that help more people build a stable future for themselves and their families.
Q's & A's
Please introduce yourself and explain why you are running to represent the Grand Isle-Chittenden District.
I’m Dave Skinner, and I am running for the Vermont House to represent Grand Isle and West Milton. I am running because Vermonters deserve better than the party-line voting that has come to define Montpelier. I will represent every voice in my community by listening and, above all, serving. As our state faces new challenges, we must work across the aisle to find lasting solutions that improve life for all Vermonters.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, I joined Grand Isle Rescue as a first responder. The people I have met and the experiences I have had inspired me to take the next step and help ensure that Vermonters have access to the basic necessities they need.
Affordability remains a major concern for Vermont residents. What specific action should the Legislature take to reduce pressure on household budgets, including property taxes, housing and energy costs?
Successful, responsible state government requires independent thinking, strong relationships, and a commitment to keeping party politics from getting in the way of good governance. We need to focus on what is causing the problem, not who is to blame. That means examining government spending and reviewing passed legislation to determine whether it is working and being implemented effectively. If it is not, we must work together to fix it.
The district includes both the Champlain Islands and part of Milton. How would you ensure that communities with different geographic, economic and infrastructure needs receive equitable representation?
The key to ensuring equitable representation is simple. Listening to my constituents, and not just every two years, but throughout my time in office. As your rep in the Vermont House, I want to know what concerns the voters have and take that back to the state house. More than an occasional social media post, I would have set times to meet with each of the towns in Grand Isle and West Milton. My focus would be 100% on my entire district, and not just my hometown, my party, or my donors.
Housing availability, transportation, water quality and access to essential services are significant concerns across the district. Which of these issues requires the most immediate state action, and what would you propose?
Ensuring access to essential services must be a top priority for Vermont. Rural healthcare providers are struggling to make ends meet, while limited public transportation places an added burden on local communities. As a first responder I see local EMS and fire departments struggle to recruit volunteers, and food banks and assistance programs face steadily rising demand, it is time to put communities first. We must adequately fund essential services such as 3SquaresVT, and Crop Cash. These programs not only support recipients but also strengthen our local farms. We must also ensure that constituents know about existing heating and healthcare assistance programs. Moving toward universal primary care, supported by accessible community health centers, is an important first step in providing essential care for new families and older Vermonters, who are among those most at risk.
What is one bill or policy you would make a priority during the next legislative biennium, and what measurable difference would it make for residents of this district?
One policy I would prioritize in January is lowering healthcare costs by increasing transparency in healthcare and prescription drug pricing and examining the impact of private equity ownership in our healthcare institutions. For too many Vermonters, a single accident or diagnosis can wipe out their savings and plunge them into debt. My priority is to put patient care ahead of profits and Vermont’s hospital workforce ahead of boards and investors.