Copeland-Hanzas Looks Left: Progressive Challenge Could Reshape 2026 Secretary of State Race
With her official announcement for a second term as Vermont's Secretary of State, Sarah Copeland-Hanzas is stepping into a 2026 election cycle that may require her to look both ways before crossing the political road. While a familiar challenge looms from the right, a potentially more complex obstacle may be emerging from her left, promising a dynamic and unconventional race.
Copeland-Hanzas, a Democrat, enters the race with a strong record of first-term accomplishments. According to her campaign, she has overseen the successful implementation of universal vote-by-mail, modernized the "Safe at Home" address confidentiality program for survivors of violence, and launched the state's first-ever Civic Health Index to measure and encourage community engagement. Her office also garnered national recognition for an innovative election security video, which supporters say burnishes her credentials as a competent administrator.
"I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done to make our democracy more accessible and secure for all Vermonters," Copeland-Hanzas stated in her campaign announcement. "But that work is far from over. I am running for re-election to continue fighting for every Vermonter's right to participate in our government."
A Familiar Face on the Right
As in previous elections, the most visible challenge to Copeland-Hanzas from the right is expected to come from perennial Republican candidate H. Brooke Paige. A familiar name on Vermont ballots, and most often dressed for a county fair or Groundhog Day, Paige has run for multiple statewide offices, often to ensure a Republican presence in races that might otherwise go uncontested. According to news reports and public statements, his campaigns have consistently centered on the theme of "election integrity," and he has been a vocal skeptic of the 2020 presidential election results.
While Paige's likely candidacy ensures a debate on the administration of Vermont's elections, his specific platform for the Secretary of State's office has not yet been fully articulated. The race will likely see Copeland-Hanzas highlighting her experience and the security of Vermont's voting systems against Paige's more generalized calls for tighter election controls.
The Progressive Question Mark 🤔
The more intriguing and potentially more disruptive challenge to Copeland-Hanzas may come not from the right, but from the Vermont Progressive Party. In a significant move this past spring, the Progressive Party issued a formal call for candidates to run on their ticket in 2026. As reported by Vermont Business Magazine, the party signaled a desire to break from the traditional two-party system and offer a distinct alternative for Vermont voters.
While the party has not yet announced a specific candidate for Secretary of State, the possibility of a Progressive challenger could reshape the entire dynamic of the race. Such a candidate would likely focus on issues that could appeal to the left of the Democratic party, potentially questioning the pace of reform and pushing for more aggressive policies.
One potential point of contention could be the controversial charter change in Montpelier that granted non-citizen residents the right to vote in local elections. While Copeland-Hanzas supported the change, which was widely covered by state news outlets, a Progressive challenger could argue for a more proactive statewide approach to the issue. Similarly, recent changes to Vermont's election laws could become a point of debate, with a Progressive candidate potentially arguing that the changes did not go far enough to open up the political process.
A Three-Way Race?
The prospect of a three-way race between a mainstream Democrat, a conservative Republican, and a progressive challenger would create a complex and unpredictable political landscape. For Copeland-Hanzas, it would mean defending her record not just against the "election integrity" arguments from the right, but also against a critique from the left that could paint her as too moderate or incremental in her approach.
As the 2026 election season begins to take shape, it is clear that Copeland-Hanzas's path to re-election is not a straight one. While the challenge from H. Brooke Paige and the Republican party is a known quantity, the potential for a new and energetic challenge from the Vermont Progressive Party means that the incumbent will need to be prepared for a multi-front campaign. For Vermont voters, it could mean a more robust and ideologically diverse debate about the future of democracy in the Green Mountain State.