Tom Blakely

Tom Blakely earned a high school diploma from Ansonia High School, an associate degree from Florida Community College at Jacksonville in 1977, and a bachelor's degree from the University of North Florida in 1979.

He also attended Emory University. As of 2026, Blakely was retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have four rules for living that guide my actions: Treat everyone fairly, Always do my best, Give back to the community, and Try to have fun. You can always expect me to listen to you and respect your voice, keep you informed, and support what is best for Bennington, Pownal and Vermont.

I moved to Vermont 11 years ago and found a forever home in Bennington. I retired from a career in Information Technology in 2022. In addition to working as an employee and consultant, I have started several successful businesses, include a retail wine store. In 2006 I was named the Jacksonville (Florida) Small Business Leader of the Year for my innovative use of technology in a retail business. I know what businesses need to survive in challenging times.

I currently serve on the Town of Bennington Historic Preservation Commission, and am a member of the Bennington Rotary and Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

These are challenging times for all Vermonters. Increasing costs for housing, energy, food and medical care threaten the ability of Vermonters to thrive, and many struggle just to get by. I believe that we can find solutions only if we remember that we are a community and that every person matters. In a community, people help each other, and share pooled resources. I have faith that the fundamental decency of all Vermonters, which will bridge the divides we currently see.

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?

The cost of medical care, and medical insurance, are key factors driving the overall cost of living in Vermont. It's one of the main reasons that property taxes are so high: providing teachers and staff with medical insurance consumes a disproportionate share of school system budgets. I will work to enact comprehensive solutions that address both the shortage of patient care professionals and the need for improved delivery of care. Those solutions will involve applications of appropriate technology, and investment in expanding the pool of healthcare resource.Vermonters need affordable, reliable energy. The cost of energy, like healtcare costs, underlies the cost of everything else: it takes energy to power our homes and businesses, and to transport goods. Currently, the most cost-effective sources of energy are solar, wind and geothermal. The advantages of these clean, renewable energy sources include shorter lead time to bring energy production on line, and lower overall costs compared to fossil fuel plants. I will do everything I can to support green energy.The Federal government has enacted programs that fly in the face of science, logic, and the Constitution. Vermont needs to continue to resist these authoritarian actions that are causing our State, the rest of the country, and the world real harm. Whether it's promoting fossil fuels at the expense of renewables (and the health of our planet!), restricting voting rights and access, or alienating ourselves from the world community, we must act to protect our citizens regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or sexual orientation. No one should feel threatened in the Green Mountain State.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe that the ability of the average worker in Vermont to have an affordable home, available health care and a good education for their children is essential. If prices continue to rise beyond the rate of inflation, the population of Vermont will continue to decline to the point where living here is no longer a viable option. To that end, we need to ensure that our policies support the people of Vermont, and not billionaires and large corporations.