Vermont Democratic Party Welcomes New Party Chair Lachlan Francis

Chair Lachlan Francis, Vermont Democratic Party

MONTPELIER, VT — November 15, 2025 — The Vermont Democratic Party (VDP) announced today that it has elected Lachlan Francis of Westminster, Vermont, as its new Party Chair during the Party’s biennial reorganization process. At age 29, Lachlan Francis becomes one of the youngest state party chairs in Vermont Democratic Party history and one of the youngest state party chairs in the country.

A proud product of Vermont’s public schools, from Putney Central School through the University of Vermont, Francis brings more than a decade of campaign, communications, and policy experience to the role. He has worked to elect Democrats at every level of government, from local selectboards to Congress, and has advised Democratic campaigns and allied organizations across the country. For the past two years, Francis has served as Chair of the Windham County Democratic Committee and Westminster Town Democratic Committee.

Francis has spent five years as a research consultant at Global Strategy Group — the largest polling firm in Democratic politics — where he led data projects and advised campaigns and state parties in 30 states. At a time when Vermont Democrats are focused on rebuilding local infrastructure and strengthening talent pipelines for future cycles, Francis’ blend of national experience and deep local roots position him to guide the party through an era of renewed grassroots growth.

“I am honored to be elected Chair of the Vermont Democratic Party. Growing up in rural, southern Vermont, I learned that politics starts with listening to your neighbors, showing up, and working together for the common good,” said Francis. “As Chair, I am committed to building a party that reflects the best of Vermont: collaboration, community, and integrity. Together, we’ll strengthen our grassroots infrastructure across the state, support candidates who put people first, and ensure that we make Democratic values winning values in every election, in every community.”

Francis began organizing in Vermont politics as a high school student at Brattleboro Union High School, working on TJ Donovan’s 2012 campaign for Attorney General and interning with the Vermont Democratic Party’s finance team the following summer. After managing Becca Balint’s first campaign for State Senate, he went on to lead a large-scale organizing program in San Antonio, Texas, before returning home to complete his degree at the University of Vermont.

“Lachlan represents the strength and promise of a new generation of Vermont leadership — grounded in community and committed to building a brighter future for every Vermonter,” said VDP Executive Director May Hanlon. “Leaders like Lachlan understand that winning elections starts with relationships: trust, listening, and steady investment at the local level. I look forward to working alongside him as we build a stronger, more connected Party for 2026 and the years ahead.”

In 2023, Francis was elected Chair of the Windham County Democratic Committee, where he helped reinvigorate local organizing efforts — knocking on thousands of doors, making thousands of phone calls, and raising thousands of dollars to frontline campaigns. He recently won the VDP’s 2025 Leahy Award, honoring the spirit of civic engagement and public service that Senator Patrick Leahy championed throughout his decades of leadership.

At 15, he was appointed as the student representative to the State Board of Education by Governor Peter Shumlin, where he would eventually become the first student elected vice chair. He has also served on the Governor’s Council on Pathways from Poverty, on the Board of Directors of Putney Family Services and the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association, and as chair of the Westminster Planning Commission. 

Francis grew up in Putney, Vermont. He started working on local farms at age 13 and was a cheesemonger at Grafton Village Cheese Company. Francis is a small business owner and currently works as Associate Director of Marketing & Communications at Landmark College. He lives in Westminster, Vermont, with his wife Olivia, a Physical Therapist, and their dog Willie.

Francis succeeds Jim Ramsey, who served as Interim Chair since February. The Vermont Democratic Party congratulates Chair Francis and thanks outgoing Interim Chair Ramsey for his service and the steady leadership he brought to this role.

For more information, visit www.vtdemocrats.org or follow @vtdems on social media.