Erhard for Senate
Long time Affordable Housing Advocate
Erhard Mahnke Announces Run for Chittenden Senate
Campaign will focus on Economic, Racial and Climate Justice Issues
BURLINGTON, VT – Long time affordable housing advocate Erhard Mahnke announces his candidacy to represent Chittenden County residents in the Vermont Senate, where he plans to focus on economic, racial and climate justice issues – and of course affordable housing.
Like so many Vermonters, Erhard was first inspired to work for systemic change by then Mayor, now Senator and Presidential Candidate, Bernie Sanders. Throughout the 1980’s, he was part of a dedicated group of community leaders working with Bernie to transform Burlington into the thriving, livable and inclusive city it has become. Serving as a Planning Commissioner and City Councilor, including a stint as Council President, Erhard helped create policies and initiatives that:
Increased affordable housing for homeowners and renters and improved housing conditions and protections for renters;
Set the city on a path to energy independence through energy efficiency and renewables;
Created a world-class waterfront accessible to all regardless of income;
Developed property tax alternatives to pay for city services while keeping Burlington more affordable for working families; and
Stimulated small business development and a vital arts and culture scene.
During a long career of public service, Erhard has worked for municipal government, running the City of Winooski’s housing and community development programs; supported low-income Vermonters to create resident-owned housing co-operatives; served as legislative liaison for the City of Burlington; and worked for the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition as an advocate for the housing needs of low-income Vermonters, seniors, the homeless, and people with disabilities.
“I’ve known and worked with Erhard Mahnke in many different capacities over almost 40 years and am excited to support him for Chittenden County Senate,” said former Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle. “As the state recovers from the disastrous economic impact of the pandemic, we need people representing us in Montpelier with his broad range of experience, work ethic, and ability to get things done. Erhard will make sure that ordinary working Vermonters, people on fixed income, the vulnerable and poor don’t get left behind as the state confronts unprecedented challenges.”
Erhard’s breadth of policy knowledge, long-standing professional relationships, and familiarity with the legislative process make him uniquely qualified to help Vermont recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
“People are hurting and scared and anxious to resume their normal lives after months of isolation and uncertainty,” Erhard said. “But there’s no turning back to ‘normal’! The pandemic has made plain the underlying injustices and deficiencies in our system across the board. We are in a unique moment in time when we can fundamentally change how we do things and create a sustainable economic system that works for us all.”
As a State Senator, Erhard will fight for economic justice. He will resist the usual calls for austerity as a response to the state’s budget woes. Erhard maintains that this is not the time to cut back on essential services for those struggling to survive from paycheck to paycheck or living on fixed income. He supports increased state and federal spending to prime an economy that has suffered its greatest shock since the Great Depression. He will work to renew the fight for a $15 minimum wage, paid family leave, and safe, stable and affordable housing for all.
“I have known Erhard Mahnke for over three decades,” said Chittenden County business leader Melinda Moulton. “He has been a fierce advocate for those who are often disenfranchised and ignored during their time of need. People without housing, food, health care, employment, and transportation. He cares deeply about Vermonters who just need a leg up in life, and that is why I am honored to support Erhard Mahnke for the Vermont Senate.”
As a State Senator, Erhard will fight for racial justice… for our African-American brothers and sisters and all our neighbors of color. For the last two weeks white Vermonters have seen clearly what the Black Community and other neighbors of color experience and have experienced for decades. We’ve watched over and over, with horror, anger and revulsion, as another Black person’s life is snuffed out by police – people we pay to protect us all. We have watched a nation rise up in anger and frustration reminiscent of the days after Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Many of us have demonstrated, chanted, and marched.
“I am excited Erhard Mahnke is running for Chittenden Senate as I know he is committed to working on racial justice issues,” said Winooski Representative Diana González. “As a white immigrant and father to a Black son raised in Vermont he has personal experience for the need to fight for racial equity across state policy. During my work with Erhard on a number of bills, including the Homelessness Bill of Rights, I am impressed with his ability to focus on the vital policy details while maintaining his dedication to supporting the most vulnerable.”
Erhard lives with the constant, underlying fear that his son, too, could be killed by police or attacked by violent racists. His son is all too familiar with challenges of navigating life in the United States as a Black man. As a longtime housing advocate Erhard also knows how the institutional racism embedded in governmental housing policies gave rise to segregated neighborhoods and race-based disparities in wealth. Vermont is not immune. Even here People of Color are disproportionally poor, homeless, incarcerated, stopped by police, and impacted by COVID-19. Erhard will work with colleagues and advocates for criminal justice reform and review all new legislation and existing state policies with a racial justice lens.
As a State Senator, Erhard will fight for Climate Justice and Action. Erhard understands that Climate Change is the defining issue of our time and that we are at a defining moment. Vermont must do its part to help stem the tide of impending climate disaster. As a housing advocate, Erhard knows that heating and cooling buildings is the second largest contributor to our state’s carbon footprint. He has partnered with climate change allies to increase resources to make our aging housing stock more energy-efficient, reducing cost for hard-pressed working Vermonters and those living on fixed income. He is part of a broad coalition working to pass key legislation like the Global Warming Solutions Act, Transportation Climate Initiative Act, and Renewable Energy Standard bill. Two years ago a U.N. report documented that we had 12 years to limit climate change catastrophe. Now we have ten. It is past time to act.
As a State Senator, Erhard will encourage younger Vermonters to engage in policy and decision making.
It is important to be open and welcoming to new and innovative perspectives. Millennials and Generation Z are finding their voice. Erhard will work to incorporate them more into decision making as they provide a unique perspective, especially on issues of climate change, systemic racism, income inequality, and gender.
Erhard looks forward to engaging with Chittenden County residents over the coming weeks and months to hear their concerns and how he can help. He will be posting his thoughts on policy solutions to key issues facing Vermont soon at www.ErhardForSenate.com. He welcomes hearing from Chittenden County residents at erhard@ErhardForSenate.com.