Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse Announces Bid for Mayor

Ben Traverse enters the race for Burlington mayor

Ben Traverse, president of the City Council, announced his candidacy for mayor in Vermont's most populous city on Friday. The move sets the stage for a potential confrontation with incumbent Progressive Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, who has yet to confirm if she will seek reelection. Traverse, a Democrat and current Ward 5 representative, launched his campaign during a press conference at Battery Park, where he spoke to a crowd of supporters about the need for a more collaborative approach to city governance, VTDigger reported.

The contest arrives at a time when Burlington is grappling with high-profile challenges, including homelessness, public drug use, theft, and persistent staffing shortages within the local police department. While Traverse emphasized a desire to work across political lines, he also used the platform to signal his dissatisfaction with the current administration’s ability to resolve these ongoing issues. He characterized the city as being in a state of stagnation, telling reporters that there is a “growing level of frustration” among residents.

Clashes over public safety and downtown conditions

The friction between Traverse and Mulvaney-Stanak has become increasingly visible through their disagreements over public safety policy. A central point of contention is a proposed resolution known as Burlington Forward. Introduced by Traverse and other council Democrats, the measure seeks to expand the downtown police presence while attempting to balance business support with compassionate responses to those breaking the law. However, the mayor and Progressives on the council have labeled the initiative “Burlington Backwards,” arguing it fails to sufficiently address the complexities of drug use and homelessness, according to VTDigger.

Ben Traverse officially announces Burlington mayoral bid

The debate over Burlington Forward has reached a temporary standstill. Following intense discussions, the proposal was tabled until Dec. 7. In the interim, an ad‑hoc committee has been formed to rework the language of the proposal, a group that includes both the mayor and Traverse.

Traverse also targeted the administration’s handling of law enforcement leadership and public health. He noted that while the mayor recently appointed a new police chief, the move arrived two years after the previous chief departed. He further criticized the mayor’s plan to open an overdose prevention center downtown, though he did not provide specific details on his objections.

Ben Traverse announces run for Burlington mayor and lays out priorities

A vision for inclusive leadership versus progressive reform

Traverse, a 42-year‑old labor lawyer for the University of Vermont Health Network, framed his campaign as an effort to move away from what he described as “wedge politics.” He argued that the city has become divided into competing factions—homeowners against renters, business owners against workers, and police against the communities they serve. His platform emphasizes collaboration across the political aisle.

In contrast, Mayor Emma Mulvaney‑Stanak has led the city with a progressive mandate since April 2024. As the city’s first woman and first openly LGBTQ+ mayor, her administration has focused on equity, housing, and public services. While the mayor’s office issued a brief statement noting she would announce her reelection plans in the coming days, she did not engage with the specific criticisms raised by Traverse during his announcement.

Burlington City Council President Ben Traverse Announces Bid for Mayor — Photo: burlingtondailynews.net

The following table outlines the core differences in focus presented by the two political camps during this period:

Issue Area	Traverse/Democratic Perspective	Mulvaney‑Stanak/Progressive Perspective
Public Safety	Expand police presence; increase staffing closer to 90 officers.	Criticize “backwards” approaches; focus on systemic equity.
Downtown Management	Prioritize business success and resident comfort.	Address homelessness and drug use through progressive social models.
Governance Style	Collaborative, working across the political aisle.	Progressive‑led reform and social equity.

The legislative record of the Ward 5 representative

Beyond the immediate mayoral race, Traverse enters the contest with a legislative history rooted in urban development and housing. As chair of the council’s Ordinance Committee, Traverse helped advance zoning changes establishing the South End Innovation District, opening an area previously restricted from residential development to hundreds of potential housing units. His work on the council’s Ordinance Committee has also included efforts to eliminate minimum parking requirements and regulate short‑term rentals to fund affordable housing initiatives.

Ben Traverse announces run for Burlington mayor

His supporters, including Democratic South District Councilor Ranjit “Buddy” Singh, have pointed to his ability to find creative solutions for housing and his commitment to the South End as evidence of his readiness for the mayoralty. Traverse’s background also includes serving as chair of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Commission and working on the city’s Housing Board of Review.

As the election approaches, the central question for Burlington voters remains whether the city requires a pivot toward the platform Traverse is offering, or if the progressive direction established by Mulvaney‑Stanak is the necessary path to address the city’s structural challenges. The mayoral election is scheduled to take place on Town Meeting Day in March.