# Sue Minter

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**Sue M. Minter** (born January 23, 1961) is an American politician from the state of [Vermont](/source/Vermont). She served in the [Vermont House of Representatives](/source/Vermont_House_of_Representatives) from 2005 to 2011, led Vermont's recovery efforts after [Tropical Storm Irene](/source/Tropical_Storm_Irene_(2011)), and became secretary of the [Vermont Agency of Transportation](/source/Vermont_Agency_of_Transportation) in 2015. Minter was the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) nominee in the [Vermont gubernatorial election of 2016](/source/2016_Vermont_gubernatorial_election). She lost to the [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) nominee [Phil Scott](/source/Phil_Scott).

## Early life and career

Minter was born in [Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania](/source/Bryn_Mawr,_Pennsylvania), the daughter of Evelyn and Robert Wilson "Bob" Minter, who managed a candy business, Minter's Candies.[1][2] Her family moved to [Providence, Rhode Island](/source/Providence,_Rhode_Island), while she was in high school. Minter graduated from [Moses Brown School](/source/Moses_Brown_School) in 1979[3] and from [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) with a concentration in [sociology](/source/Sociology) in 1983. She then earned a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) in [urban planning](/source/Urban_planning) from the [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](/source/Massachusetts_Institute_of_Technology). She moved to Vermont in 1991 to become a consultant for [Conservation Law Foundation](/source/Conservation_Law_Foundation).[4]

## Political career

### State representative

Minter ran for the [Vermont House of Representatives](/source/Vermont_House_of_Representatives) in 2004, representing the [Washington-Chittenden-1 district](/source/Washington-Chittenden-1_Vermont_Representative_District,_2002%E2%80%9312) ([Duxbury](/source/Duxbury,_Vermont), [Waterbury](/source/Waterbury,_Vermont), and [Huntington](/source/Huntington,_Vermont)). She won, and was reelected for four terms.[4][5] She served on the Transportation and Appropriations committees, in positions which emphasized budgeting over policy-making, and earned a reputation as a "solid" but not "[ultra-liberal](/source/Ultraliberalism#Social_liberalism)" Democrat with a good understanding of complex budget issues.[6]

### Vermont Agency of Transportation

[Peter Shumlin](/source/Peter_Shumlin), the [Governor of Vermont](/source/Governor_of_Vermont), appointed Minter as Deputy Secretary of the [Vermont Agency of Transportation](/source/Vermont_Agency_of_Transportation) in January 2011. Following [Tropical Storm Irene](/source/Tropical_Storm_Irene_(2011)), Shumlin appointed Neale Lunderville to lead Vermont's recovery efforts, and four months later named Minter to replace him.[7][8] Minter was praised for her leadership as chief recovery officer.[4] She later served on President [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama)'s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, co-chaired the White House Task Force Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery and Resilience, and led a Vermont team which assisted with [Colorado](/source/Colorado)'s response to [major flooding in 2013](/source/2013_Colorado_floods).[9][10]

Minter became Secretary of VTrans on January 1, 2015, following the retirement of Brian Searles.[11] In response to an August [workplace discrimination](/source/Employment_discrimination) lawsuit against VTrans, she boosted employee training in harassment prevention and established an affirmative-action task force.[9][12]

### Candidate for governor

In September 2015, Minter resigned from her position at VTrans to run for governor in the [2016 gubernatorial election](/source/Vermont_gubernatorial_election,_2016).[9] Minter's former House colleagues described her as left-of-center and praised her as a "good Democrat" with a talent for understanding complicated budget issues, but questioned her preparedness for a gubernatorial run.[6] Minter was endorsed by former Vermont Governors [Madeleine Kunin](/source/Madeleine_Kunin), [Howard Dean](/source/Howard_Dean)[13] and [Phil Hoff](/source/Phil_Hoff); former lieutenant governor [Doug Racine](/source/Doug_Racine); and former state representative Jason Lorber;[14] along with 52 current legislators and 25 more former legislators, as well as the pro-choice Democratic group [EMILY's List](/source/EMILY's_List).[15] Environmentalist [Bill McKibben](/source/Bill_McKibben) initially supported her rival [Matt Dunne](/source/Matt_Dunne), but switched his support to Minter after Dunne revised his position on [wind power](/source/Wind_power).[16]

Minter proposed job creation efforts involving strategic investments in infrastructure and housing, as well as industry-government collaboration to promote the technology, energy, and agricultural sectors.[17] Her proposed "Vermont Promise" initiative would have paid for Vermont high school graduates to attend the [Community College of Vermont](/source/Community_College_of_Vermont) or [Vermont Technical College](/source/Vermont_Technical_College) for two years for free, and for half of the current price afterwards.[18]

Minter believes Vermont's [pension fund](/source/Pension_fund) should [divest from coal holdings](/source/Fossil_fuel_divestment) because they are "bad for our economy and bad for our environment."[19] Minter followed her rival [Matt Dunne](/source/Matt_Dunne) in rejecting campaign contributions from corporations, writing "Whether you are a multimillionaire or a major corporation, you shouldn't be able to buy the governor's office."[20] After the 2015 [Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting](/source/Colorado_Springs_Planned_Parenthood_shooting), she called for [universal background checks](/source/Universal_background_check) on gun sales in Vermont, a position later taken up by her rivals. She also supports a ban on [assault weapons](/source/Assault_weapons).[21][22]

On August 9, Minter won the Democratic Party nomination for governor, defeating Dunne and [Peter Galbraith](/source/Peter_Galbraith) in the [primary election](/source/Partisan_primary). She faced Republican [Phil Scott](/source/Phil_Scott), the [Lieutenant Governor of Vermont](/source/Lieutenant_Governor_of_Vermont), in the November general election.[23][24] Minter lost to Scott, 52% to 44%.[25]

## Post-political career

In September 2017, Minter became the president and [chief executive officer](/source/Chief_executive_officer) of [Special Olympics](/source/Special_Olympics) Vermont.[26] She resigned from the job in September 2018.[27] In December 2018, Minter became executive director of Capstone Community Action, a [community action agency](/source/Community_Action_Agencies) in Vermont that works to meet basic needs, advocate for economic justice and lift low-income people out of poverty.[28] In November 2024, Minter announced she would be stepping down from her position at Capstone Community Action at the end of 2024.[29]

## Personal life

Minter lives in [Waterbury, Vermont](/source/Waterbury,_Vermont), with her husband David Goodman (brother of [Amy Goodman](/source/Amy_Goodman), a journalist for *[Democracy Now!](/source/Democracy_Now!)*).[30] They have two children.[31]

## References

1. ["Meet Sue"](http://www.sueminter.com/meet-sue). *sueminter.com*. January 12, 2016.

1. ["Archives - Philly.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150918102803/http://articles.philly.com/2010-12-03/news/25291950_1_jelly-beans-candy-factory-memorial-service). *[The Philadelphia Inquirer](/source/The_Philadelphia_Inquirer)*. Archived from [the original](http://articles.philly.com/2010-12-03/news/25291950_1_jelly-beans-candy-factory-memorial-service) on September 18, 2015.

1. ["'A Girl in the Race'? Sue Minter Weighs a Run for Governor"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/a-girl-in-the-race-sue-minter-weighs-a-run-for-governor/Content?oid=2789976). *Seven Days*. Retrieved September 11, 2015.

1. ["Sue Minter is Vermont's Irene Recovery Officer - Harvard Magazine"](http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/09/vermont-strong). *Harvard Magazine*. August 17, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2015.

1. ["Representative Sue Minter"](http://legislature.vermont.gov/people/single/2010/150). *Vermont Legislature*. Retrieved June 5, 2016.

1. Hallenbeck, Terri (September 10, 2015). ["Sue Minter to Run for Vermont Governor"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2015/09/10/sue-minter-to-run-for-vermont-governor). *Seven Days*. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. Panebaker, Alan (December 29, 2011). ["Shumlin taps Minter to replace Lunderville for Irene recovery post"](https://vtdigger.org/2011/12/29/minter-named-new-irene-recovery-czar/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved July 5, 2016.

1. Costa, Jennifer (December 29, 2011). ["Minter replaces Lunderville for Vt Irene recovery efforts"](http://www.wcax.com/story/16412777/minter-to-oversee-vt-irene-recovery-efforts). *WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-*. Retrieved July 5, 2016.

1. Craven, Jasper (September 10, 2015). ["Sue Minter joins the race for governor"](http://vtdigger.org/2015/09/10/sue-minter-joins-the-race-for-governor/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved September 11, 2015.

1. Johnson, Mark (May 23, 2016). ["Minter: Timing, creativity keys to economic development"](http://vtdigger.org/2016/05/23/minter-timing-creativity-keys-to-economic-development/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved June 5, 2016.

1. ["Minter to replace Searles at VTrans"](http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/18/minter-replaces-searles-secretary-vtrans/19225581/). *Burlington Free Press*. November 18, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2015.

1. Hewitt, Elizabeth (August 3, 2015). ["Former VTrans employees allege workplace discrimination because of their sexuality"](http://vtdigger.org/2015/08/03/former-vtrans-employees-allege-workplace-discrimination-because-of-their-sexuality/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved June 5, 2016.

1. Heintz, Paul (July 28, 2016). ["Howard Dean Endorses Sue Minter for Governor"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/07/28/howard-dean-endorses-sue-minter-for-governor). *Seven Days*. Retrieved July 28, 2016.

1. ["Sue Minter: Supporters"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160515050055/http://www.sueminter.com/supporters). *sueminter.com*. Archived from [the original](https://www.sueminter.com/supporters) on May 15, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. ["EMILY's List Endorses Sue Minter for Governor of Vermont"](http://www.emilyslist.org/news/entry/emilys-list-endorses-sue-minter-for-governor-of-vermont). *EMILY's List*. February 29, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. Heintz, Paul (July 31, 2016). ["Environmentalist Bill McKibben Dumps Dunne for Minter"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/07/31/environmentalist-mckibben-dumps-dunne-for-minter). *Seven Days*. Retrieved August 3, 2016.

1. Minter, Sue (May 31, 2016). ["Minter: Spread Barre-style success across Vermont"](http://www.benningtonbanner.com/columnists/ci_29961603/minter-spread-barre-style-success-across-vermont). *Bennington Banner*. Retrieved June 3, 2016.

1. Neubauer, Kelsey (June 7, 2016). ["Minter plans to offer free tuition to state colleges"](https://vtdigger.org/2016/06/07/minter-plans-to-offer-free-tuition-to-state-colleges/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved June 11, 2016.

1. ["Protecting Our Environment"](http://www.sueminter.com/issues/protecting-our-environment). *Sue Minter*. January 12, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. Heintz, Paul (May 12, 2016). ["Facing Pressure From Matt Dunne, Sue Minter Returns Corporate Cash"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2016/05/12/facing-pressure-from-dunne-minter-returns-corporate-cash). *Seven Days*. Retrieved May 21, 2016.

1. Heintz, Paul (June 15, 2016). ["The Gun: How I Bought an AR-15 in a Five Guys Parking Lot"](http://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-gun-how-i-bought-an-ar-15-in-a-five-guys-parking-lot/Content?oid=3421127). *Seven Days*. Retrieved June 24, 2016.

1. Craven, Jasper (June 13, 2016). ["Minter takes the lead on gun control in aftermath of Orlando massacre"](https://vtdigger.org/2016/06/13/minter-takes-the-lead-on-gun-control-in-aftermath-of-orlando-massacre/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved June 24, 2016.

1. Johnson, Mark; Hewitt, Elizabeth; Faher, Mike (August 9, 2016). ["Minter cruises to Democratic nomination for governor"](http://vtdigger.org/2016/08/09/minter-cruises-democratic-nomination-governor/). *VTDigger*. Retrieved August 10, 2016.

1. Aloe, Jess (August 9, 2016). ["Sue Minter wins Democratic nomination for governor"](http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/09/sue-minter-wins-democratic-nomination-governor/88292776/). *Burlington Free Press*. Retrieved August 10, 2016.

1. Cross, Caleigh (November 9, 2016). ["Sue Minter gracious in defeat"](http://www.stowetoday.com/waterbury_record/news/local_news/sue-minter-gracious-in-defeat/article_5a306a6e-a69f-11e6-8a88-dbc6069cb767.html). *Waterbury Record*. Retrieved November 9, 2016.

1. Goldstein, Sasha. ["Sue Minter Named President and CEO of Special Olympics Vermont"](https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2017/09/28/sue-minter-named-president-and-ceo-of-special-olympics-vermont). *sevendaysvt.com*

1. ["Special Olympics Vermont CEO Resigns After A Year"](http://www.wamc.org/post/special-olympics-vermont-ceo-resigns-after-year). *WAMC*. Associated Press. September 3, 2018.

1. Writer, David Delcore Staff (November 8, 2018). ["Former gubernatorial candidate to lead Capstone"](https://www.timesargus.com/news/local/former-gubernatorial-candidate-to-lead-capstone/article_fa2b4d38-fe5f-5e53-b774-3d179926315f.html). *Times Argus*. Retrieved 2019-06-27.

1. ["Minter Steps Down from Capstone Community Action after Six Successful Years; Two long-standing leaders to take the helm"](https://capstonevt.org/blog/press-release-minter-steps-down-from-capstone-community-action-after-six-successful-years). Retrieved 2025-04-14.

1. ["Minter resigns, announces campaign"](http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150911/NEWS03/709119907). *rutlandherald.com*. Retrieved September 14, 2015.

1. Stewart Ledbetter (September 13, 2015). ["Transportation Secretary Sue Minter to resign to run for governor"](http://www.wptz.com/news/sue-minter-to-enter-governors-race/35197598). *WPTZ*. Retrieved September 14, 2015.

## External links

- [Official 2016 campaign website](https://web.archive.org/web/20161026081020/http://www.sueminter.com/) (Archived)

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