Lonnie Poland
Lonnie Poland (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Vermont House of Representatives to represent Chittenden-Franklin District. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Poland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Lonnie Poland was born in Burlington, Vermont. She served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1979 to 1985. She earned a high school diploma from Burlington High School, an associate degree from Springfield Technical Community College in 1981, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont in 1984. Her career experience includes working as a physical therapist, serving as a professional yoga instructor, and founding Experience Yoga. She previously owned and operated Street Toys and acted as the project manager for the Milton Outdoor Performance Center. As of her 2024 campaign, she served as board president of the Vermont Reiki Association.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Vermont House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Vermont House of Representatives Chittenden-Franklin District (2 seats)
Incumbent Chris Taylor and Anthony Micklus defeated Lonnie Poland and Henry Bonges III in the general election for Vermont House of Representatives Chittenden-Franklin District on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Chris Taylor (R) | 35.2 | 2,655 |
| ✔ |  | Anthony Micklus (R) | 26.1 | 1,973 |
 | Lonnie Poland (D)  | 23.5 | 1,775 | |
| Henry Bonges III (D) | 14.9 | 1,126 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 7,548 | |||
| = 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 Chittenden-Franklin District (2 seats)
Lonnie Poland and Henry Bonges III advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont House of Representatives Chittenden-Franklin District on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lonnie Poland | 59.5 | 365 |
| ✔ | Henry Bonges III | 39.0 | 239 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.5 | 9 | ||
| Total votes: 613 | |||
| = 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 Chittenden-Franklin District (2 seats)
Incumbent Chris Taylor and Anthony Micklus advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont House of Representatives Chittenden-Franklin District on August 13, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Chris Taylor | 56.5 | 415 |
| ✔ | | Anthony Micklus | 41.6 | 305 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.9 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 734 | |||
| = 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 Poland's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Poland in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released October 24, 2024 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Lonnie Poland completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Poland's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Education Funding Reform: Education is the foundation of our future, and it’s crucial that we reform Vermont’s education funding system to ensure equitable support for all students. I’m committed to creating a system that addresses disparities, particularly in areas facing school infrastructure challenges and budget limitations. By focusing on sustainable funding and fair resource distribution, we can provide students with safe learning environments, support teachers, and strengthen our schools for the long term, setting every child up for success.
- Affordable Housing: Access to affordable housing is essential for thriving communities, yet too many Vermonters struggle to find stable, affordable homes. I’m committed to addressing the housing crisis by supporting policies that increase affordable housing options, streamline building processes, and incentivize sustainable development. By expanding affordable housing access, we can help families stay in Vermont, attract new residents, and foster vibrant, inclusive communities where everyone has a place to call home.
- Healthcare Access: Every Vermonter deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of income or location. With my background in healthcare, I understand the challenges many face in obtaining timely, affordable care. I’m committed to supporting policies that improve access to mental health services, lower prescription drug costs, and strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure. My goal is to ensure that healthcare is not a privilege, but a right—allowing all Vermonters to live healthier, more secure lives and empowering families and individuals
Accountability is essential, as officials must be willing to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, working openly and responding to the community’s feedback. Dedication drives a representative’s continuous focus on advocating for the public, showing commitment to achieving progress on critical issues affecting Vermonters.
A strong sense of balanced representation ensures that all perspectives are valued, including those from underrepresented voices, fostering policies that genuinely reflect the diverse needs within the district. Lastly, a collaborative spirit allows an elected official to work effectively alongside colleagues, community leaders, and organizations, drawing on a range of insights to make stronger, more inclusive decisions.
Empathy: I have a genuine ability to understand and connect with the experiences and challenges faced by constituents. This empathy allows me to advocate effectively for their needs and ensure their voices are heard.
Collaboration: I thrive on working with others and building strong relationships across diverse groups. My strength in collaboration helps foster unity and encourages constructive dialogue, which is essential for effective governance.
Commitment to Community: My deep-rooted commitment to serving my community drives my dedication to addressing local issues and improving the quality of life for all Vermonters. I prioritize the needs of the people I represent in all decision-making.
Resilience: Navigating challenges and setbacks is part of public service. My resilience allows me to stay focused and determined, ensuring that I remain committed to finding solutions even in difficult situations.
Open-Mindedness: I approach issues with an open mind, willing to consider different perspectives and learn from others. This quality helps me make informed decisions that reflect a broad range of opinions and experiences.
Strong Communication Skills: I can articulate ideas clearly and listen actively, facilitating effective discussions with constituents, colleagues, and stakeholders. Good communication fosters transparency and trust, essential for effective representation.
Problem-Solving Orientation: I am solution-focused, always looking for practical ways to address the challenges facing our communities. My ability to analyze complex issues and develop thoughtful strategies will contribute to effective policymaking.
Dedication reflects a representative’s consistent focus and effort toward addressing the issues that impact Vermonters’ lives. Being committed to meaningful service requires actively engaging with the community, showing up consistently, and putting in the work needed to make tangible improvements. Active listening is essential, enabling the representative to understand the range of perspectives in the community, not just the loudest voices, and incorporating those perspectives into informed decision-making.
Advocacy is about standing up for the community’s needs within the legislative process, working tirelessly to represent their voices even in challenging situations. Finally, collaboration is crucial for finding solutions that genuinely reflect the community's diverse needs. By working alongside colleagues and community members, a representative ensures decisions are inclusive, effective, and beneficial to all.
I aspire to create lasting change in key areas such as affordable healthcare, education finance reform, and economic fairness. By advocating for policies that enhance access to essential services and create opportunities for all, I hope to contribute to a Vermont where families can thrive without facing unnecessary barriers.
Additionally, I want to promote a sense of community engagement, encouraging citizens to participate actively in the democratic process. By inspiring others to get involved, I hope to foster a culture of collaboration and civic responsibility that endures beyond my time in office.
My military training deepened this journey. Training alongside people from diverse backgrounds, I witnessed how structural biases and assumptions affected others differently. I saw not only the challenges I faced but also the specific struggles others encountered based on race or background. This experience highlighted the complexities of equity and fairness, reinforcing my belief in the need for systemic change.
Later, working in healthcare, these lessons became even more tangible. I saw how disparities in access and outcomes impacted certain groups, reminding me that inequities have real, often devastating consequences. My healthcare experience reinforced the importance of advocacy and creating fairer systems that prioritize well-being for all.
With a super-majority in the legislature, there is a unique responsibility to seek broad-based support on key issues, recognizing that lasting policies require input from a diversity of perspectives. This helps mitigate the need for vetoes and promotes legislation that serves the entire state. The governor and legislature both play crucial roles: the legislature brings forward Vermonters’ voices and needs through comprehensive lawmaking, while the governor’s role includes providing balance and oversight.
Healthcare access and affordability remain persistent challenges, especially as costs continue to rise and rural healthcare infrastructure becomes strained. Ensuring that every Vermonter has access to quality, affordable healthcare—including mental health services—is essential to the state’s health, economic stability, and overall quality of life.
Additionally, environmental resilience will be increasingly vital. Climate change poses a range of threats, from extreme weather events to impacts on Vermont’s agriculture, forests, and communities. Addressing these through sustainable policies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation is crucial to preserving our state’s natural resources and way of life.
Finally, economic and workforce development must be a priority. Vermont faces a labor shortage and aging population, which could hinder future growth. Investing in workforce development, attracting new residents, and supporting small businesses will be key to building a thriving, resilient economy that serves all Vermonters.
However, I also believe that diverse experiences outside of politics bring great value to the role. Legislators with backgrounds in fields like healthcare, education, small business, or community service bring practical insights and fresh perspectives that are crucial for effective, responsive governance. When combined with a dedication to learning and a genuine commitment to public service, these non-political experiences often foster a more grounded, innovative approach to tackling issues that directly impact Vermonters’ lives.
In forming these relationships, I strengthen my understanding of others’ priorities and concerns while creating a foundation of respect that’s vital for navigating challenging topics. Connecting with legislators from diverse backgrounds allows me to approach each issue with a well-rounded perspective, working toward solutions that reflect the needs and insights of all Vermonters.
His focus on issues such as civil liberties, environmental preservation, and public safety reflects values that resonate with me and align closely with Vermont’s priorities. I also admire his dedication to bipartisan collaboration; even in challenging times, he valued dialogue and worked across the aisle to achieve practical solutions that benefited Vermonters and the broader country. Senator Leahy’s commitment to service, his respect for diverse perspectives, and his unwavering dedication to Vermont set a powerful example of effective, compassionate leadership that I aspire to bring into my own role as a legislator.
This mother shared her deep frustration with a system that makes it so difficult for her to prioritize her children’s well-being without sacrificing her own health in the process. Despite her determination, she described feeling like there’s no end in sight to this cycle. Her story struck me profoundly, as it reflects the growing number of Vermonters who are working harder than ever yet are unable to achieve stability and balance.
The legislature can set clear guidelines for when and how emergency powers may be invoked, while requiring regular updates and reviews to assess the ongoing need. This oversight creates a framework where urgent action is possible, yet accountability to the public remains intact. Ideally, both branches work together during emergencies, enabling swift responses while preserving democratic processes and ensuring that all Vermonters’ voices are represented. This balance strengthens public trust and maintains the integrity of our government, even during times of crisis.
Serving on a healthcare committee would allow me to address critical issues like healthcare access, affordability, and mental health services, all of which are vital to Vermonters' well-being. My background in healthcare gives me insight into how we can improve access and support services across the state.
I’m also interested in education-related committees to work on education finance reform and equitable funding, ensuring that all Vermont students have access to safe, quality learning environments. With a focus on financial sustainability, I aim to support policies that uplift our schools and address infrastructure needs.
An economic development committee would allow me to champion policies that support small businesses, promote workforce development, and expand affordable housing options. I’m passionate about creating a Vermont where everyone has access to economic opportunity and the resources needed to thrive.
Finally, an environmental conservation committee aligns with my commitment to sustainable policies that protect Vermont’s natural resources. I believe it’s essential to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship, addressing issues like clean energy, conservation, and climate resilience for a sustainable future.
Accountability means that elected officials act in the public’s best interest and take responsibility for their decisions. This includes not only following through on commitments but also being honest about challenges, setbacks, or changes. I am committed to working transparently, communicating openly with constituents, and being accountable for the outcomes of my decisions. When officials prioritize accountability, government becomes more accessible, more effective, and more reflective of the people’s needs.
On the positive side, ballot initiatives allow citizens to have a direct say in key issues, fostering greater civic engagement and empowering Vermonters to influence policy directly. For a state with a strong tradition of community involvement, this could be a natural extension of our democratic process, ensuring that residents’ voices are represented in a more immediate way.
However, there are potential downsides. Without careful safeguards, ballot initiatives can lead to well-funded outside interests shaping policy in ways that may not serve the broader needs of Vermont residents. Additionally, complex issues may be oversimplified on the ballot, making it difficult for voters to fully grasp the long-term implications of their choices.
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.
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.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Vermont House of Representatives Chittenden-Franklin District |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 30, 2024
