Joshua Bechhoefer

Joshua Bechhoefer

Republican Party

Candidate, Vermont Treasurer

Elections and appointments

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

High school

Middlebury Union High School

Bachelor's

University of Vermont

Personal

Birthplace

Fredericksburg, Va.

Profession

Finance

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Joshua Bechhoefer (Republican Party) is running for election for Vermont Treasurer. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Biography

Joshua Bechhoefer was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He earned a high school diploma from Middlebury Union High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont. His career experience includes working in finance, as a carpenter, and in the aerospace industry. He has been affiliated with VTGOP.

Elections

2026

See also: Vermont Treasurer election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Vermont Treasurer

Joshua Bechhoefer is running in the general election for Vermont Treasurer on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Joshua Bechhoefer (R)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Endorsements

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2024

See also: Vermont Treasurer election, 2024

General election

General election for Vermont Treasurer

Incumbent Michael Pieciak defeated Joshua Bechhoefer in the general election for Vermont Treasurer on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Pieciak (D)	60.8	211,134
		Joshua Bechhoefer (R)	39.1	135,763
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	415

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 347,312
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Tim Maciel (Vermont Progressive Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Vermont Treasurer

Incumbent Michael Pieciak advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont Treasurer on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Pieciak	99.5	45,358
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	221

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,579
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Vermont Treasurer

Joshua Bechhoefer advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont Treasurer on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joshua Bechhoefer	97.3	19,286
		Other/Write-in votes	2.7	542

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,828
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• H. Brooke Paige (R)

Vermont Progressive Party primary election

Vermont Progressive Party primary for Vermont Treasurer

Tim Maciel advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Vermont Treasurer on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Maciel	87.2	285
		Other/Write-in votes	12.8	42

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 327
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bechhoefer in this election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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2024

Joshua Bechhoefer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bechhoefer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Joshua T. Bechhoefer. I am the state of Vermont's RNC Committeeman, and dedicated to the state of Vermont's wellbeing. I work in agricultural lending, for the farmers, and execute that responsibility with pride. With a background in finance I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve as the state's treasurer and recommend efficiency gains and thrift, as well as reform the pension system and make other structural changes to our treasury and other liabilities.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Unfunded pension liabilities, the state pension system are a concerning symptom of Vermont's gridlock. Over 8.3 billion dollars in unfunded pension liabilities (17.4% of GDP, one of the highest ratios in the nation) dent our bond rating. If we had an option for a defined contribution plan, we could eliminate substantial spending, and take those liabilities off the books. They are also a more versatile option for state employees not looking to be fully vested in the pension system. Prefunding OPEBs would also reduce our costs when it comes to health insurance.
• Vermont would benefit immensely from the chartering of a state bank. North Dakota is presently the only state with a state bank, which has augmented the financial performance of the state by investing in rural infrastructure, agriculture, and other developments beneficial to the state in the long run. The state bank also turns a surplus every year, acts as a depository for state funds, and plays a role in balancing their budget. Vermont could implement this institution and have more financial sovereignty and resources at its disposal.
• Vermont lacks a treasurer dedicated to transparency and due diligence. As treasurer, I would go further in publishing data on where our money goes and efforts to root out inefficiency in government. I would recommend structural changes to how we spend money, like ending our "paygo" system post-employment benefits for a pre funded system, which would save us money and help Vermonters in the long run. The office of treasurer should be above politics, right now it's a political football.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fiscal policy, taxation, regulatory reform. Anything that help the average Vermonter.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The treasurer has their finger on the pulse of the state coffers' solvency, and they can structure the debt of the state to promote sustainability. They make recommendations to legislature based on their firsthand experience of managing the treasury and issuing bonds to finance the operations of state government.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

George Aiken, the quintessential Vermonter. He put the people's wellbeing above everything in public service, and steered Vermont through the Great Depression to a large extent. He would later be a steady hand in Senate during the Vietnam War

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I won't recommend a tome. Vrest Orton's Personal Observations on the Republic of Vermont is an essential read for all Vermonters to understand what heritage we safeguard.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Diligence, ability to compromise, being a fierce friend of the electorate, empathy, wisdom. Above all perhaps tenacity to keep coming back for the people who elected you.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Simply not caring about advancement for advancement's sake, which is lost in Vermont politics, is a quality I possess that is as important as financial acumen, diligence, and thrift. I want to be treasurer because I want to steward the state treasury, not to do something else beyond that.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe they must exhibit a flawless record of diligence in financial affairs of the state. They must be willing to put the position above politics, and not allow it to become a political football.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Putting treasury above politics. A sustainable future for the children of Vermont and their children. It's a tall order, but it can be achieved with discipline and compromise.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I am a young candidate, but I do remember Jim Douglas suing international paper and the state of New York over tire burnings, this left an impression on me at a young age. I don't remember exactly how old, but I was in elementary school.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was as a carpenter, I worked it through the summer to help pay for college. It taught me that a dollar is the hardest thing to earn.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Count of Monte Cristo. Never ever give up, and when you succeed, don't let anything consume you despite what you might feel is right. it's also just a fantastic story.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Not that I would want to be him, but I empathize with Don Quixote. I would rather live in a world of idealism and romance, not gritty realism.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Run of the Mill, George Harrison

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Finding out what I want to do in life as a young person has always been a struggle. I changed majors a few times in college, but landed on something I care about.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Ensuring sustainability and trust in the office so that the future can enjoy the same wellbeing as the current generation. Irresponsibility in treasury is not an option, we must be proactive in communicating and working to make Vermont's budget workable for the far future, not just to ensure bond agency ratings stay stable year to year.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The state treasurer manages all the state investments and issues bonds. Therefore it should be a position above politics, not subject to hobby horse issues or pet politics. In this role I would act as a fiduciary for the state of Vermont, and put it above politics. Our children will inherit this system, so we need to give them something that will benefit them, not act as a ball and chain.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. The state treasurer must have financial experience, be diligent, and have experience in meeting the disparate needs of a large organization like a state. I have all of that experience.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

As someone in agricultural finance, I know that a dollar is the hardest thing to earn. I have an understanding of the banking system, economic policy, and statistically driven solutions. Furthermore, as a young candidate I believe strongly in crafting a future we would want our children to inherit. I refuse to allow short-term, selfish thinking with state money that is politically convenient in the moment to impede long-run sustainability.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I thought I had a Gouda joke, but it was too cheesy.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

That we don't have enough of it. Mike Pieciak has demonstrated a lack of initiative during his tenure in financial regulation, and he has not weighed in on the profligacy of legislature. A government official should advocate thrift and ensure transparency and accountability is there to make sure the government spends funds wisely. The treasurer in particular should be above politics and focus on this role chiefly among the other jobs of treasurer.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

I believe we should have a state ballot initiative to implement a state bank. North Dakota currently has a state bank that is largely popular among their taxpayers because it provides much needed lending services to rural infrastructure, agriculture, and other key development. It can also aid in balancing the budget, and would improve the viability of our many small banks by engaging in loan participations with those banks and spread risk out. The Bank of North Dakota currently turns a profit every year to the benefit of taxpayers.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Interview with VT Digger

Bechhoefer highlighted the following themes in an interview with VT Digger on July 22, 2024. The questions from VT Digger are bolded and Bechhoefer's responses follow below.

“

Why are you running for office? I’m running for office so the next generation can inherit a treasury and state economy that is sustainable in the long run. Our bond rating, which is what our creditors assess is our creditworthiness, will not be stable if we exoeruebce demographic aging, fail to grow our tax base, and spend prudently. Just because Vermont has a stable outlook now just points to bonds being issued today, not even years down the road. This is not a long-term view for our state. I believe simple, actionable reforms and additional options regarding a pension, a bank for the state such as what North Dakota has, as well as recommendations from the treasury office to the house can go a long way in steering the state in the right direction. Issues in depth What are the most important responsibilities of the state Treasurer’s Office? The fundamental responsibility of the State Treasurer’s office is to wisely steward the treasury and make decisions that benefit the welfare of the people who rely on it. That means not allowing it to become a political football for pet projects, investing in the best interest of the beneficiaries of the pension, looking out for the long-term viability of the pension. It is also to make recommendations to interested parties as to how to improve the treasury’s position and therefore the bond rating. The bond rating determines the rate at which we borrow. If our creditors believe we are less able to pay our debts back because we spend profligately and do not reduce unfunded liabilities, it will worsen our bond rating making it more expensive to borrow. I want a virtuous cycle where we can borrow more cheaply because we are judicious, allowing us more flexibility down the road to continue improving our financial position. If we don’t head off bond rating deterioration, even harder financial decisions about what to cut, like the pension or other spending projects, will be made for us. What would your three top priorities be if you were elected or reelected to the state Treasurer’s Office? My first, which I would pitch with the governor, are more options for pensions where possible, which is both good for state employees and eliminates unfunded pension liabilities. This is followed by advocating for a Bank of Vermont and making recommendations to the house based in reality about how much of an expensive the treasury can bear. If you’re an incumbent, what are you most proud of achieving in the state Treasurer’s Office? If you’re a challenger, what could you do better than the incumbent? Mike Pieciak seems to be running more for governor than treasurer judging by the fashion he has turned treasury into a political football. I believe treasury funds should be invested the way a fiduciary would your personal money, that is in your best interest, not for flashy political projects to get in the papers. Moreover, he has refused to give any pushback for profligate spending and taxation proposed in house, which is crushing the taxpayer, discouraging investment, and encouraging people to leave the state. Moreover, Mike Pieciak is a lawyer, and I have a background in econometrically driven analysis and solutions. What’s the most important thing voters probably don’t know about you? I believe the position of treasury should be above politics, so the treasury cannot be a political football. Future generations will rely on our good stewardship today.

”

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Joshua Bechhoefer campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Vermont Treasurer	Lost general	$2,000	$103
Grand total			$2,000	$103
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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