Bram Kleppner

Bram Kleppner was born in Washington, D.C.. He earned a high school diploma from Springbrook High School, a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in 1987, and a graduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1999. His career experience includes working as a CEO and international business developer for Ben & Jerry's. Kleppner has been affiliated with Green Mtn Bike Club.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I recently finished 13 years as CEO of a mid-sized manufacturing company, Danforth Pewter of Middlebury, Vermont. I also serve on the Vermont Climate Council, and previously served as one of three commissioners on the Vermont Tax Structure Commission and served as Co-Chair of the Vermont Medicaid & Exchange Advisory Board for five years. I've lived in Vermont for at least part of the year since I was born, full-time for 40 years, and in Burlington for 32 years. I have three adult children who all graduated from Burlington High School and went on to various Vermont Colleges, and one rising sophomore at BHS. I'm married to Genevieve Henry, Executive Director of the Safety Team, co-owner of Birth Journeys, and owner of Massage Journey. I went to Middlebury College undergrad and have an MBA from the University of Vermont.

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?

I think my combination of having led a manufacturing business through the Great Recession and the pandemic, combined with my policy experience across health car, taxation, and climate, will be helpful in the legislature as we address the several big, complicated challenges ahead of us.The lack of affordable housing is driving multiple problems: homelessness, young people leaving the state, business and organizations large and small being unable to hire people as those people can't find a place to live, empty nesters who would like to downsize unable to find a place to downsize into. Affordable housing is at the top of my priority list.Health care costs are another driver of multiple problems: rising education costs, increased burden on businesses, fewer people with access to quality health care. It's a big, complicated problem, and we have to deal with it.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe health care is a human right, and I believe climate change threatens to damage or destroy everything you care about. I also believe that the threats to our democracy have the potential to make it much harder to address those challenges.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Abraham Lincoln, for approaching the world with malice toward none, and charity toward all. Harriet Tubman, for fearlessly fighting for freedom. Amelia Earhart, for combining the physical courage to fly planes in the 1920s and 1930s, and the moral courage to ignore social restrictions on what she could do.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Books: Plato's Republic and Plato's Laws. Film: Bulworth.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A true desire to serve your community; listening to all with empathy; honesty; moral courage.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Open-minded, thoughtful, good at listening, like people, like learning.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Listen to your constituents and other people with an interest in the process; work hard to do what you truly believe is best for your constituents, best for Vermont, best for the US, and best for the planet.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Having worked diligently and honestly for the good of the people of Vermont, for the good of the country, and for the good of the planet.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember my parents' dismay at Richard Nixon's re-election in 1972 -- I was seven years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

First job was delivering newspapers in the morning when I was 12 years old. To this day, when I walk the dogs in the morning, when I see newpapers that haven't been properly delivered, I toss them from the sidewalk up onto people's porches.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. I have a weakness for sprawling complicated novels.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Gandalf!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"On the Hunt" by Lynard Skynard.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Our son has faced mental health and substance use challenges that have at times been heart breaking.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

They should work together as much as possible to ensure that governor vetoes as few bills as possible.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Affordable housing; mental illness/addiction/homelessness/crime; education costs; health care costs; climate change.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, beneficial, but not necessary.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes! State legislatures work by building consensus and coalitions, and having good relationships with your colleagues is critical.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

When Vermont's US Representative Becca Balint served in the Vermont Senate, she was elected President Pro Tem unanimously -- every Democrat and every Republican. Building that kind of cross-party support is inspirational.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Possibly -- if I win the primary, and win the general, we'll see whether I'm successful enough in the legislature to run again for the VT House or other office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes. I met a man who told me that his porch was freshly painted because he was selling his house. He said he and his wife bought the house 10 years ago, and it was their dream house in their dream neighborhood. Property taxes were $11,000/year, which was a stretch for them, but they could manage it. Now property taxes are $20,000/year, and it's more than they can manage, so they are being forced to sell their dream.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Why is "W" the most important letter in "waffle"?

Because without it, they'd be awful!

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

I don't know enough about this subject to answer. Looking forward to learning more.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Probably an affordable housing bill.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Endorsed by outgoing Representative Gabrielle Stebbins, former Governor Howard Dean, immediate past Executive Director of the Vermont Women's Fund Meg Smith, two of three Democratic candidates for mayor of Burlington (the third is staying neutral), award-winning environmentalist and 28-year VT legislator David Deen.

What committees interest you?

Ways & Means; Health Care; Environment & Energy

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that public officials have an obligation to be fully transparent with their consituents about their personal finances and about government finances. I believe the government needs to be held accountable for operating in the service of the all the citizens.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

Good!