Last month, Burlington, Vermont Mayor Miro Weinberger, a Democrat, announced he that he will not seek a fifth three-year term, setting up the first open mayoral race in 12 years. On Thursday evening City Council President Karen Paul announced her candidacy. The Democrat, who has served on the council since 2008 and as president since 2022, tells WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley that she has never been more confident making a political decision:
I made the decision because I feel that I am the right person to lead us through our challenges, to find solutions. And most importantly, I have the professional background, the political acumen and a proven track record of decisively but collaboratively bringing all voices to the table and moving forward with action. You know, it's not just about words. It's about action. And I feel that I'm ready to take the bold steps to ensure that our community's values and priorities are honored.
Karen Paul, many people probably recognize you because you are on the city council and you've been active with city work. You mentioned your professional background. What about your professional background does give you the experience needed to be mayor?
Well, that's a good question. My professional background is in finance. I'm an accountant and have decades of experience not only in finance but also in management. And I know from having served on the Board of Finance that I probably, and I'm trying to remember exactly but I believe that I have served on the Board of Finance all but two years that I've been on the city council, that is where a lot of the work gets done that is budget related and effectively is how our city runs. And that's, I think, where my professional background is incredibly important.
You mentioned the Board of Finance. That is part of the city council. Overall work on the city council, how has that positioned you to run the city?
Well, I think that I'm going to be the person, in fact I know that I'm going to be the person, that can hit the ground running. And I think what's important is that we have a plan going forward, you know, that is bold and that is actionable, that's effective but also one that galvanizes our full community to action. And the reason I know that I can do that work is because I've already done it. I inherited a council that was contentious. And today I've cultivated working relationships and genuine esteem for each of my colleagues across the political spectrum. And after all, if we are going to get this work done, we're going to get it done together. And I feel that I can bring that collaboration and then integrity to the office of mayor.
Karen Paul, the current mayor, Miro Weinberger, has had some controversial policies and initiatives put forward. You are both Democrats. What policies and initiatives would you continue and are there any that you would decide nah we won't move forward with those?
Well, you know, I'm not here to talk about other council members or to talk about the mayor. What we need in Burlington is leadership that listens and that's what I feel I can provide at this critical time in Burlington. I think most council members and the mayor would agree that I have been effective as president of the city council by listening before I talk and by bringing people together who have disparate viewpoints.
Beyond that, what would be the primary issues of a Paul administration?
Well, the primary issues are public safety. I don't think public safety can be overstated as the most important issue. Public health, of course, goes with public safety. We certainly have a housing affordability crisis. And we have other, of course, other priorities. But I think for most people what I hear across the city from everyone are concerns for public safety.
What do you think will set you apart from any candidate that joins the race?
We need a leader who can truly hit the ground running on day one. And I have that ability to do that. And most of that is based on decades of professional experience that truly a mayor must have in order to do the work of being a mayor, but also has a history and again, not in words but in actions, of having the political acumen, the connections, deep connections to the community to be able to get the job done, to do what needs to be done at this critical time in Burlington history.
I think a lot of people were a bit surprised to learn that there's never been a woman mayor of Burlington before. So you could become the first woman to serve as Burlington’s mayor. How and why is that so significant for so many of the constituents in the city?
I think that representation always matters. And I think it's important that Burlington have a woman mayor. I would be, of course, honored beyond words to be that first mayor. But I will only hope that if that does happen, that while I may be the first that I will certainly, certainly not be the last. And as I say, I think it's important that representation matters.
The voting that will occur on Town Meeting Day will be by ranked choice voting. Is that going to change how you approach campaigning?
It isn't going to change how I approach campaigning. You know, I've run for city council a number of times. I have run races that I have felt were at times contentious. And I have always run races to reflect who I am. And that is that, you know, honor and integrity are worth more than anything. And I will be talking about the issues. I will be talking about what I feel I can bring to the office of mayor, why I feel people should support me and vote for me. I will earn those votes every day. And I will run the race that is reflective of who I am and what my values are.
Karen Paul, you note in the release that you sent out that there has to be a Democratic caucus to select who will run for mayor and that's going to be in December. Are you confident that if any other Democrats enter the race that you will be the selection?
I will be working hard every day to make sure that that happens. And I will be talking with as many voters as I possibly can leading up to the caucus and have every confidence that when people get to know me, when they understand my priorities and my background and what I bring to the office of mayor, I am confident that that will be the outcome, yes.
During her campaign kickoff Karen Paul was endorsed by former Vermont governors and fellow Democrats Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin.
Progressive Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, a current Vermont House representative and former city councilor, announced her campaign for mayor on October 16th.
Burlington’s mayoral election will be held on Town Meeting Day, March 5th, 2024.
