# Selene Colburn

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**Selene Colburn** is an American politician who serving in the [Vermont House of Representatives](/source/Vermont_House_of_Representatives) from the Chittenden-6-4 district from 2017 to 2023 as a member of the [Vermont Progressive Party](/source/Vermont_Progressive_Party). Prior to her tenure in the State House, she served on the city council in [Burlington, Vermont](/source/Burlington,_Vermont). She is the first female chair of the House Progressive Caucus.

Colburn was born in Burlington, and educated at [Burlington High School](/source/Burlington_High_School_(Vermont)), [Bennington College](/source/Bennington_College), and [Simmons University](/source/Simmons_University). She became active in politics in her youth when she joined anti-war demonstrations.

Colburn was first elected to office with her election to the Burlington city council in the 2014 election and she won reelection in the 2015 and 2017 elections. She was elected to the state house alongside [Brian Cina](/source/Brian_Cina) in the 2016 election with the nominations of the Progressive and [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) parties and was reelected in the [2018](/source/2018_Vermont_House_of_Representatives_election) and [2020 elections](/source/2020_Vermont_House_of_Representatives_election). She was selected to serve as assistant chair of the Vermont Progressive Party's caucus in the state house and then to serve as chair.

## Early life

Selene Colburn was born in [Burlington, Vermont](/source/Burlington,_Vermont).[1] She participated in anti-war demonstrations as a teenager in the 1980s.[2] She graduated from [Burlington High School](/source/Burlington_High_School_(Vermont)) in 1987.[3] Colburn graduated from [Bennington College](/source/Bennington_College) with a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) in dance in 1991, and graduated with a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in library and information science from [Simmons University](/source/Simmons_University).[4][1]

## Career

### Local politics

Colburn was elected to the Burlington city council to succeed Kevin Worden with the nomination of the [Vermont Progressive Party](/source/Vermont_Progressive_Party) in the 2011 election without opposition after [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) nominee Molly Loomis dropped out. During the campaign, she had raised $3,055 and spent $2,049.[5][6][7][8] She was redistricted into the East district and defeated Democratic nominee Carmen Scoles in the 2015 election.[9][10] She did not run for reelection in the 2017 election and was succeeded by Democratic nominee Richard Deane.[11][12][13]

She served as Rachel Siegel's campaign manager when Siegel ran for a seat on Burlington's city council.[14] [Carina Driscoll](/source/Carina_Driscoll) won the endorsement of the Vermont Progressive Party during the [2018 Burlington mayoral election](/source/2018_Burlington_mayoral_election) after Colburn nominated Driscoll for the party's endorsement.[15] During the 2019 election, she served as Jack Hanson's campaign treasurer for his city council campaign.[16] She served as city councilor Jack Hanson's campaign treasurer during the 2021 election.[17] Colburn endorsed Max Tracy, the Progressive nominee, during the [2021 Burlington mayoral election](/source/2021_Burlington_mayoral_election).[18]

### Vermont House of Representatives

Representatives [Chris Pearson](/source/Christopher_Pearson_(Vermont_politician)), a member of the Progressive Party, and [Kesha Ram](/source/Kesha_Ram), a member of the Democratic Party, declined to run for reelection to the [Vermont House of Representatives](/source/Vermont_House_of_Representatives) in 2016.[19][20] Colburn ran for a seat in the state house from the Chittenden-6-4 district in the 2018 election with the nominations of the Democratic and Progressive parties and won in the general election alongside [Brian Cina](/source/Brian_Cina).[21][22] During the campaign she was endorsed by Senator [Bernie Sanders](/source/Bernie_Sanders).[23] She and Cina were reelection in the [2018](/source/2018_Vermont_House_of_Representatives_election) and [2020 elections](/source/2020_Vermont_House_of_Representatives_election).[24][25]

During the 2020 session of the state house Colburn served as assistant chair of the Vermont Progressive Party's caucus in the state house. In 2020, she was selected by a unanimous vote of seven to serve as chair of the Vermont Progressive Party's caucus in the state house while [Emma Mulvaney-Stanak](/source/Emma_Mulvaney-Stanak) was selected to serve as assistant chair. She is the first woman to lead the Vermont Progressive Party's caucus in the state house.[26]

## Political positions

Colburn introduced legislation in the state house to make all single occupancy restrooms gender neutral which was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor [Phil Scott](/source/Phil_Scott).[27][28] She introduced legislation in the state house to decriminalize prostitution.[29]

The city council voted six to five, with Colburn in favor, in favor of a non-binding resolution encouraging employees of the [Howard Center](/source/Howard_Center) to be paid a living wage.[30] The state house voted 89 to 58, with Colburn in favor, in favor of raising the minimum wage and creating a paid family leave program.[31] She and Representatives [Diana Gonzalez](/source/Diana_Gonzalez) and Cina wrote an open letter calling for at least twenty percent of Vermont's police budget to be diverted to other services.[32]

## References

1. ["Representative Selene Colburn"](https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2020/27163). *[Vermont General Assembly](/source/Vermont_General_Assembly)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616221830/https://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2020/27163) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Stormy Demonstration Greets Bush"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79689590/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. June 21, 1986. p. 1. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616204501/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79689590/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Graduation Day '87"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79689699/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. June 13, 1987. p. 21. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616220951/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79689699/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Archival project hires Benn. College graduate"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690028/bennington-banner/). *[Bennington Banner](/source/Bennington_Banner)*. July 30, 1999. p. 6. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616221157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690028/bennington-banner/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Farewell to three councilors"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690694/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. April 1, 2014. p. B11. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616222824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690694/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Progressives Poised to Take Over Ward 1 Seat in Burlington City Council Race"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2014/01/24/progressives-poised-to-take-over-ward-1-seat-in-burlington-city-council-race). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. January 24, 2014. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617070957/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2014/01/24/progressives-poised-to-take-over-ward-1-seat-in-burlington-city-council-race) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["PACs were big spenders in Burlington election"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690328/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. March 20, 2014. p. B11. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616223034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79690328/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Results of 2014 Annual City Election"](https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20140304/election_summary_report_20140304.pdf). *[Burlington, Vermont](/source/Burlington,_Vermont)*. March 4, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210310104125/https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20140304/election_summary_report_20140304.pdf) March 10, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Burlington City Council changes under redistricting"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79691154/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. March 1, 2015. p. A10. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616223240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79691154/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["State of Votes Cast For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races"](https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20150303/Statement%20of%20Votes%20Cast%202015-03-03.pdf). *[Burlington, Vermont](/source/Burlington,_Vermont)*. March 3, 2015. p. 8. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210310112423/https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20150303/Statement%20of%20Votes%20Cast%202015-03-03.pdf) March 10, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Burlington Progressives pick City Council candidate"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79692178/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. January 10, 2017. p. A9. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616223440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79692178/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Knodell Wins Tight Race to Keep Burlington City Council Seat"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2017/03/08/knodell-wins-tight-race-to-keep-burlington-city-council-seat). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. March 8, 2017. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616022836/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2017/03/08/knodell-wins-tight-race-to-keep-burlington-city-council-seat) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Election Summary Report"](https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20170307/ELECTION_SUMMARY_REPORT_20170307.pdf). *[Burlington, Vermont](/source/Burlington,_Vermont)*. March 7, 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210310110711/https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/CT/ElectionResults/20170307/ELECTION_SUMMARY_REPORT_20170307.pdf) March 10, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Progressives elect Mulvaney-Stanak chair, outline agenda"](https://vtdigger.org/2013/11/10/progressives-elect-mulvaney-stanek-chair-outlne-agenda/). *Vermont Digger*. November 10, 2013. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617075632/https://vtdigger.org/2013/11/10/progressives-elect-mulvaney-stanek-chair-outlne-agenda/) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Carina Driscoll Says She'll Run for Burlington Mayor 'Her' Way"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/carina-driscoll-says-shell-run-for-burlington-mayor-her-way/Content?oid=11038297). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. December 13, 2017. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617070020/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/carina-driscoll-says-shell-run-for-burlington-mayor-her-way/Content?oid=11038297) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Jack Hanson announces Burlington City Council run"](https://vtdigger.org/2019/01/04/jack-hanson-announces-burlington-city-council-run/). *Vermont Digger*. January 4, 2019. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617025048/https://vtdigger.org/2019/01/04/jack-hanson-announces-burlington-city-council-run/) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["City Councilor Jack Hanson announced re-election campaign"](https://vtdigger.org/press_release/city-councilor-jack-hanson-announced-re-election-campaign/). *Vermont Digger*. November 12, 2020. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617024727/https://vtdigger.org/press_release/city-councilor-jack-hanson-announced-re-election-campaign/) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Max Tracy endorsements"](https://www.maxformayorbtv.com/endorsements). *[WAMC](/source/WAMC)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210606142047/https://www.maxformayorbtv.com/endorsements) June 6, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Max Tracy, Burlington's Most Outspoken Prog, Pulls No Punches"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/max-tracy-burlingtons-most-outspoken-prog-pulls-no-punches/Content?oid=8971320). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. October 11, 2017. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617070338/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/max-tracy-burlingtons-most-outspoken-prog-pulls-no-punches/Content?oid=8971320) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Democrats Maintain Majority in Vermont House"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/11/09/democrats-maintain-majority-in-vermont-house). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. November 9, 2016. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617070631/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/11/09/democrats-maintain-majority-in-vermont-house) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["2016 State Representative Democratic Primary"](https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82395/). *[Secretary of State of Vermont](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_Vermont)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616224852/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82395/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["2016 State Representative General Election"](https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82117/). *[Secretary of State of Vermont](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_Vermont)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616223715/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/82117/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Primary"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79692079/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. August 11, 2016. p. A7. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616223934/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79692079/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["2018 State Representative General Election"](https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/133979/). *[Secretary of State of Vermont](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_Vermont)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616224141/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/133979/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["2020 State Representative General Election"](https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/143437/). *[Secretary of State of Vermont](/source/Secretary_of_State_of_Vermont)*. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616224400/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/143437/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Vermont House Progressive caucus elects all women leadership team"](https://vtdigger.org/press_release/vermont-house-progressive-caucus-elects-all-women-leadership-team/). *Vermont Digger*. December 22, 2020. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616224555/https://vtdigger.org/press_release/vermont-house-progressive-caucus-elects-all-women-leadership-team/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Gender-free restroom bill facing deadlines"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79693664/rutland-daily-herald/). *[Rutland Herald](/source/Rutland_Herald)*. April 15, 2017. p. A6. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616222403/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79693664/rutland-daily-herald/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Gender neutral restroom requirement could be national model"](https://www.concordmonitor.com/Gender-neutral-restroom-requirement-could-be-national-model-17463718). *[Concord Monitor](/source/Concord_Monitor)*. May 11, 2018. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617071657/https://www.concordmonitor.com/Gender-neutral-restroom-requirement-could-be-national-model-17463718) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Legislature takes look at prostitution"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79693891/rutland-daily-herald/). *[Rutland Herald](/source/Rutland_Herald)*. February 7, 2020. p. A3. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616222602/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79693891/rutland-daily-herald/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Farewell to three councilors"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79691691/the-burlington-free-press/). *[The Burlington Free Press](/source/The_Burlington_Free_Press)*. May 19, 2015. p. A11. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210616222139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79691691/the-burlington-free-press/) June 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["How your rep voted on minimum wage and paid leave"](https://vtdigger.org/2020/01/26/how-your-rep-voted-on-minimum-wage-and-paid-leave/). *Vermont Digger*. January 26, 2020. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617181515/https://vtdigger.org/2020/01/26/how-your-rep-voted-on-minimum-wage-and-paid-leave/) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

1. ["Progressive Lawmakers Want to Divert 20 Percent of State Police Budget"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/06/11/progressive-lawmakers-want-to-divert-20-percent-of-state-police-budget). *[Seven Days](/source/Seven_Days_(newspaper))*. June 11, 2020. [Archived](https://archive.today/20210617071955/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2020/06/11/progressive-lawmakers-want-to-divert-20-percent-of-state-police-budget) June 17, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Selene Colburn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selene_Colburn) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selene_Colburn?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.