By Kolby LaMarche

With Vermont’s Democratic primary now underway, the Burlington Firefighters Association yesterday issued a late but forceful endorsement of challenger Bram Kranichfeld in the closely watched race for Chittenden County State’s Attorney.

The union, IAFF Local 3044, released a statement through the Kranichfeld campaign, making a clear statement on not only the race, but echoing the lines spoken just last week by Burlington Council Democrats: “Lack of accountability is not in itself, compassion,” the association wrote. 

“Chittenden County needs balance between supporting those who need a helping hand, while holding all residents and guests accountable for their actions. We have faith that Bram is the right one to start finding that balance,” they continued. 

The endorsement arrives as early voting data shows elevated interest in Burlington. Roughly 2.4 percent of the city’s registered voters had already returned absentee ballots by mid-last week, according to the Secretary of State’s office. 

The race pits two former colleagues against each other. Incumbent Sarah George, first appointed in 2017 and elected in 2018 and 2022, has made progressive reform the centerpiece of her tenure. 

She has largely stopped requesting cash bail, declined many low-level traffic cases, and emphasized diversion and treatment. Kranichfeld, a longtime Burlington resident who previously served as a deputy and chief deputy in the same office, now holds the Franklin County State’s Attorney post. 

He argues that George’s approach has weakened accountability and left the community less safe.

Their differences were on full display recently in a WCAX debate moderated by Cat Viglienzoni. 

During that debate, Kranichfeld challenged George on earlier comments in which she described a prosecutor’s role as working to “dismantle the legal system.” 

George stood by the idea, casting her work as necessary reform of an unequal system. George, in turn, pressed Kranichfeld on a Franklin County case involving a defendant with dozens of charges who continued offending after posting cash bail. 

Kranichfeld defended selective use of bail, calling it Vermont’s only reliable tool to ensure court appearances and insisting it should be used when non-appearance risk is real — not abandoned as policy. 

Cash bail has remained the sharpest dividing line. George maintains that the practice disproportionately harms low-income and minority defendants. Kranichfeld counters that removing the tool without a legislative replacement has delayed justice and reduced consequences for repeat offenders.

Perceptions of public safety in Burlington have dominated the broader debate in Chittenden County. 

Kranichfeld and his supporters, over the months, have pointed to open drug use, retail theft, and downtown disorder as evidence that reform without sufficient accountability has fallen short. 

The Burlington Firefighters Association’s move carries particular weight, but it’s unclear exactly what it carries. 

First responders have spoken out in recent years about street-level impacts of policy choices. Several Chittenden County firefighter and police unions backed George’s 2022 primary challenger, where George bested her challenger in every town in the county, even their home town of Williston. 

With no Republican on the ballot, the winner of today’s Democratic primary is virtually assured of the office in November. Vermont’s open primary system allows independent and Republican voters to take a Democratic ballot, potentially broadening the electorate beyond the progressive base that has supported George in the past.

Earlier summer polling showed mixed results depending on the sample: Kranichfeld led among all likely voters, while George held an edge among self-identified Democrats. A large undecided bloc left the outcome unsettled heading into the final days.