Chittenden-23 candidates outline affordability, housing and health-care priorities at Town Meeting TV forum

Megan O'Rourke, hosting Town Meeting TV's Chittenden-23 forum, asked four candidates—incumbent Ray Garofano and challengers Eric Post, Pearl Lucero Beckage and Lynn Smith—to explain why they are running and what they would prioritize in Montpelier.

Ray Garofano, the vice chair of the House Human Services Committee, framed his fourth-term campaign around listening and accountability, saying he wants to "bring the voices of, my communities back to Montpelier and ask for my community's vote." Eric Post described stepping into the race after a withdrawal to ensure voters had a choice and stressed public-service experience and local roots. Pearl Lucero Beckage said she ran to bring different perspectives to the legislature, and Lynn Smith emphasized education and concerns about policies that, she said, divide Vermonters.

The candidates traded substantive positions across a series of policy questions. On housing and homelessness, Garofano pointed to Act 143 and prevention-focused investments; Beckage prioritized increasing housing supply and reducing regulatory red tape; Post favored tenant protections and measures to curb price-gouging; Smith called for program audits and efficiency. On health care, several candidates expressed interest in universal primary care as a cost-control and access strategy; on taxes, candidates split over new levies on second homes and wealthier residents.

The forum concluded with closing remarks and a reminder from O'Rourke to vote on Nov. 3. The event was presented as part of Town Meeting TV's general election coverage.