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Katherine Sims
Katherine Sims (Democratic Party) was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, representing Orleans-4 District. She assumed office on January 4, 2023. She left office on January 8, 2025.
Sims (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Vermont State Senate to represent Orleans District. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Katherine Sims was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived in Craftsbury, Vermont.[1][2] Sims graduated from Milton Academy in 2000. She earned a B.A. in history from Yale University. Her career experience includes working as the executive director of Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, as the executive director and founder of Green Mountain Farm-to-School, and owning Katherine Sims Consulting.[3]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Sims was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Sims was assigned to the following committees:
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Vermont State Senate Orleans District
Samuel Douglass defeated Katherine Sims in the general election for Vermont State Senate Orleans District on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Samuel Douglass (R)  | 59.2 | 7,168 |
 | Katherine Sims (D) | 40.4 | 4,894 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 51 | ||
| Total votes: 12,113 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Orleans District
Katherine Sims advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Orleans District on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katherine Sims | 96.6 | 1,204 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.4 | 43 | ||
| Total votes: 1,247 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Orleans District
Samuel Douglass defeated Aime Conrad Bellavance in the Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Orleans District on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Samuel Douglass | 54.1 | 713 |
| Aime Conrad Bellavance | 44.2 | 582 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.7 | 22 | ||
| Total votes: 1,317 | |||
| = 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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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sims in this election.
2022
See also: Vermont House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District
Incumbent Katherine Sims defeated incumbent Vicki Strong in the general election for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katherine Sims (D) | 61.0 | 1,241 |
 | Vicki Strong (R) | 38.9 | 791 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3 | ||
| Total votes: 2,035 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District
Incumbent Katherine Sims advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katherine Sims | 98.3 | 638 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.7 | 11 | ||
| Total votes: 649 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District
Incumbent Vicki Strong defeated John Courchaine in the Republican primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vicki Strong | 87.4 | 202 |
| John Courchaine | 12.6 | 29 | ||
| Total votes: 231 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
See also: Vermont House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) (2 seats)
Incumbent Vicki Strong and Katherine Sims defeated Jeannine Young, John Elwell, and Frank Huard in the general election for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vicki Strong (R) | 30.8 | 2,376 |
| ✔ | | Katherine Sims (D) | 27.6 | 2,132 |
 | Jeannine Young (R) | 21.1 | 1,632 | |
 | John Elwell (D) | 16.8 | 1,298 | |
| Frank Huard (Independent) | 3.6 | 278 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 7,722 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) (2 seats)
Katherine Sims and John Elwell advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Katherine Sims | 60.5 | 1,054 |
| ✔ | | John Elwell | 35.4 | 616 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.1 | 71 | ||
| Total votes: 1,741 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) (2 seats)
Incumbent Vicki Strong and Jeannine Young defeated Tabitha Armstrong and Frank Huard in the Republican primary for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Vicki Strong | 50.5 | 724 |
| ✔ | | Jeannine Young | 27.1 | 389 |
| Tabitha Armstrong | 13.4 | 192 | ||
| Frank Huard | 8.3 | 119 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 11 | ||
| Total votes: 1,435 | |||
| = 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
To view Sims' endorsements in the 2020 race, pleae click here.
2016
Elections for the Vermont House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 26, 2016.
Incumbent Mark Higley defeated Katherine Sims in the Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Lamoille District general election.[4][5]
| Vermont House of Representatives, Orleans-Lamoille District General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Mark Higley Incumbent |
54.18% | 1,082 | |
| Democratic | Katherine Sims | 45.82% | 915 | |
| Total Votes | 1,997 | |||
| Source: Vermont Secretary of State | ||||
Katherine Sims ran unopposed in the Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Lamoille District Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Vermont House of Representatives, Orleans-Lamoille District Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Katherine Sims (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Mark Higley ran unopposed in the Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Lamoille District Republican primary.[6][7]
| Vermont House of Representatives, Orleans-Lamoille District Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Mark Higley Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2012
Sims ran for election in the 2012 election for Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Lamoille. Sims was unopposed in the August 28 Vermont Progressive Party primary and was defeated in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Higley Incumbent |
50.9% | 920 | |
| Progressive | Katherine Sims | 49.1% | 887 | |
| Total Votes | 1,807 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Katherine Sims did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Katherine Sims did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Katherine Sims completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sims' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I found people who care about their neighbors. People who work hard, who are raising resilient kids, and know the value of getting outside. People who turn great ideas into entrepreneurial success and people working together to do big things.
Now I want to bring these voices-your voices-to the statehouse.
Our rural towns are the heart of Vermont, yet too often state policies leave us behind. Many in our community struggle to access housing, health care, childcare, and high-speed internet. The path to recovery for many small businesses is uncertain. And now, with the challenge to Northern Vermont University, our closest institution of higher education is also threatened. But I am not daunted by these challenges. These are the issues that motivate me to serve.
I believe we can emerge from this crisis a stronger Vermont, more inclusive, more equitable, and more resilient if we seize this opportunity.
I'm looking to bring my skills and experience to Montpelier as a strong voice for rural communities. I will work to rebuild our rural economy, modernize our infrastructure and invest in working Vermonters.
I hope you will join me. Together, we will make a real difference for our towns, the Northeast Kingdom, and rural Vermont.
- I'm a mother, a nonprofit leader and a dedicated community builder. I've spent my life listening, learning, and working hard to create vibrant communities and a strong economy for our region.
- For over a decade, I have worked to implement creative solutions to solve our communities' biggest challenges, like access to high-speed internet, affordable childcare, healthy food, new markets for farmers, and good jobs.
- I have the track record you want in a representative - a reputation for getting things done, the ability to unite diverse groups, and a commitment to advocating for the most vulnerable.
I am running for state representative because I believe we deserve more. No matter where you live, you deserve the opportunity to thrive. We want a Vermont that invests in rural communities. Where all families have a fair shot in today's economy. Where we protect the land and environment for future generations.
I heard your priorities loud & clear, so I will work to:
- Strengthen our rural economy & create jobs
- Bring broadband to our towns and modernize our infrastructure
- Invest in working Vermonters by ensuring access to healthcare, childcare care, and family medical leave
- Protect our local schools
- Ensure economic & social justice for all
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.
2012
In 2012, Sims' campaign website highlighted the following issues:[10]
Healthcare: We can secure accessible and affordable healthcare for all Vermonters and ensure that we spend our dollars on high-level medical care, not paperwork, bureaucracy, and profit.
Property Taxes. Property taxes are skyrocketing, placing an unfair burden on low and middle-income Vermonters. The current system does not work. It is time to tie education funding directly to income.
Education: The State should support the work of school boards and community decisions regarding their local schools. Montpelier should not impose one-size-fits-all directives on our communities.
Rural Economic Development: The state can invest in job creation here among our farmers, loggers, and entrepreneurs. Local businesses are the heart of our community and when we grow and sustain our local businesses, we build strong communities.
Lowell Wind Project: I am a strong supporter of the NVDA 3-year moratorium on wind development. It is clear how divisive the Lowell project has been to our community and we need to study the impacts of the project before any other projects are proposed for the Northeast Kingdom. We must hold Green Mountain Power to its promises to the people of the Northeast Kingdom regarding the Lowell project. We need to invest in alternative energy projects that reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, are appropriately sized for Vermont, do not negatively impact the environment, and directly benefit local communities.
Campaign finance summary
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.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Vermont scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 3 to May 10.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2023, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 12.
|
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 12.
|
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2021, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 6 to May 21.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Vermont State Senate Orleans District |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 22, 2020
- ↑ Vermont General Assembly, "Representative Katherine Sims," accessed April 11, 2021
- ↑ Katherine Sims, "About," accessed April 11, 2021
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "Candidate listings," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "2016 general election results," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Qualified candidates for the statewide primary - August 9, 2016," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Vermont Election Night Results," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Vermonet Secretary of State - Official Primary Results
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State - Official primary candidate list
- ↑ Sims for House, "The Issues," accessed October 27, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Vermont House of Representatives Orleans 4 District 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by Leanne Harple (D) |
| Preceded by Sam Young (D) |
Vermont House of Representatives Orleans-Caledonia District (Historical) 2021-2023 |
Succeeded by - |
