Ariel Bolles

Ariel Bolles earned a high school diploma from Champlain Valley Union High School and a bachelor's degree from Columbia College Chicago in 2008.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Hi, I’m Ariel (pronounced R - E - L) Bolles. You can also call me Ari. I live in Ferrisburgh with my husband Spencer, our two kids, and one cat. I currently serve on the Ferrisburgh Town Center Committee, and previously volunteered on the ANWSD Comprehensive Equity Assessment Committee. My day job is doing Design Strategy and Service Design for government products and websites. I love working in civic tech and my experience navigating public sector challenges has taught me a lot about empathy and ensuring decisions are made in partnership with the people affected by them. I’m an expert in navigating complex systems and influencing and managing change.

We live in a time of deep contradictions. The national and international news makes me feel hopeless and helpless. And, I feel more connected than ever to my friends and neighbors. I see my tax dollars funding endless wars, enriching wealthy tax evaders, and imprisoning innocent people looking for a better life in our country. And I’m inspired by people in Vermont and elsewhere speaking out and fighting back, on the streets and through legal action, policy and mutual aid.

I refuse to be complacent. Here in Vermont, at a state and local level — whether in Town Meetings, Town Committee Zoom calls, PTO meetings, School Board meetings or the State House — I see Democracy that works, where every citizen and every vote can have an impact. I see neighbors who are motivated and want to connect and be heard.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

This moment demands urgency. At the federal level, in other states and unfortunately even in Vermont, I see scapegoats being made out of the neediest and most at-risk among us. Immigrants seeking better lives are locked up. Anti-trans legislation threatens the health and wellbeing of people just trying to be themselves. Working taxpayers are asked to give more and more to get less, so that the wealthiest among us can profit. We must reject “punching down” and instead build solidarity and community among neighbors, building us all up together. Our common interests and needs outnumber our disagreements. Vermonters stick together. Let’s reject complacency, and get to work.We need a fairer, progressive tax system. Put simply: if you have more, you need to do more. We live in a time of unprecedented wealth and income inequality and we need to do what we can to level the playing field. Right here in Vermont there are concrete proposals before the legislature to make our tax system fairer, and I will fight for them as your representative.We must address immediate needs of Vermonters around housing, healthcare, and education. These topics are closely intertwined and are the major determinants in whether or not Vermont is livable and affordable for working families and folks on fixed income. Vermont can lead in these areas.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a parent, equity in public education and supporting local schools is incredibly important to me. I will always fight for human and civil rights for all, and I'm committed to economic and environmental sustainability to build a healthy, fair and free future for my kids, neighbors and generations to come.

I'm also personally passionate about housing. I've been a renter and a homeowner. I've experienced housing insecurity as a teenager. I believe that we must expand affordable housing in our state in order to address the demographic challenges we have as a rapidly aging state—we need to be able to house new residents and families, and provide options to retirees who'd like more flexibility in housing.