Vermont Progressive Party Chair Resigns Amid Workload Challenges

Bill Hunsinger stepped down as chair of Vermont’s Progressive Party after serving less than a year. He announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing the difficulty of balancing the role’s demanding schedule with a full-time job, parenting responsibilities, and his duties on the Ripton selectboard. Hunsinger did not respond to a request for comment.

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The Progressive Party is Vermont’s third-largest political organization, fielding three state House members and one state senator who caucus with Democrats. The party’s executive director, Heather Thomas, was hired shortly before Hunsinger’s election to replace longtime director Josh Wronski. The party’s primary participation has been modest: 474 ballots were cast in the most recent Progressive primary, up from 414 the previous cycle but far below the 88,906 Democratic and 23,067 Republican primary voters this year.

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She expressed gratitude for Hunsinger’s service and confidence in the party’s “strong group of members” to sustain its mission despite recent turnover.

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• 474 Progressive primary ballots cast this year (up from 414 in 2024).

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• 610 ballots in 2022 and 941 in 2020, showing a longer-term decline.

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• By contrast, Democratic primary turnout reached 88,906 and Republican turnout 23,067.

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• The party has endorsed more than two dozen candidates for state and county offices, most of whom run as Democrats.

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Party leaders will convene soon to select an interim chair, with a formal election slated for the state convention the week after the general election. Hunsinger plans to remain active as chair of the Addison County committee.

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• “It takes an incredible amount of time and energy to work within structures that are designed by and for the wealthy,” — Heather Thomas, the party’s executive director

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