Madeleine Kunin: ‘The lieutenant governor’s office is not ceremonial’

August 6, 2026

Former VT Governor Madeleine Kunin speaks at the State House last April. File photo by Gordon Miller

To the Community:

When I was elected Vermont's Lieutenant Governor in 1978, I became only the second woman to hold the office. I later served as Vermont's first woman governor, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Education, and U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland.

I want to remind Vermonters why the office of lieutenant governor matters.

In 1979, the Vermont Senate deadlocked over an amendment that would have restricted funding for Planned Parenthood and limited access to reproductive care. As lieutenant governor, one of my responsibilities was presiding over the Senate and casting tiebreaking votes.

When that moment came, I voted against the amendment. That vote helped preserve access to reproductive health care and protected the rights of Vermont women.

That experience taught me an important lesson: the lieutenant governor's office is not ceremonial. The person holding it makes decisions that affect the lives and freedoms of Vermonters for generations.

That is why I support Molly Gray.

Molly has devoted her career to public service — as a human rights lawyer, a Vermont Assistant Attorney General, and lieutenant governor. She has continued her service by leading an effort to resettle Afghan refugees in Vermont while also becoming a mother, caring for her mother, and advocating for working families.

I’ve known Molly. I trust her judgment, her values, and her commitment to Vermont. She understands the responsibility of this office and has the experience, integrity, and courage to serve with distinction.

I hope Vermonters will join me in voting for Molly Gray for lieutenant governor on August 11.

Madeleine Kunin

Shelburne

Democrat Madeleine Kunin was governor of Vermont from 1985 to 1991.