BURLINGTON, VT - On Monday, January 27th, Assistant Attorney General Molly Gray announced she is running for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont.

“Vermont is at a crossroads. Our rural communities and workforce are shrinking and the next generation is struggling to live in Vermont. There is a generation plagued by student loan debt that not only struggles to afford housing, keep healthy food on the table and start a family, but also care for aging parents. I am running for Lieutenant Governor to reinvigorate Vermont’s rural communities, to ensure Vermont is the best place to raise and support family, and to protect the land and environment for future generations. Now is the time for the next generation of bold leaders in Vermont.”

Molly was born and raised on a farm in Newbury, Vermont and graduated from the University of Vermont in 2006. Following graduation, Molly helped elect Congressman Peter Welch and went on to serve as a Congressional aide in his Washington, D.C. office. She later worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross before returning home to attend Vermont Law School and be closer to her family in Newbury. Over the last decade she served as a law clerk to Vermont’s judge to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and managed the launch of the first global initiative mandated to oversee the compliance of private security contractors with human rights. Now Molly serves as an Assistant Attorney General where she brings her unique background in human rights to her criminal justice work.

Molly earned early support from Vermonters from across the state including former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Finance Chair Jane Stetson, former Governor Madeleine Kunin, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, Shelburne Resident and Attorney Mary Kehoe, Vermont Law School President and Dean Tom McHenry, Putney native and Olympian John Caldwell and Pete's Greens founder Pete Johnson of Craftsbury, Vermont.

Former Governor Madeleine Kunin said, “I have known Molly to be a dedicated and hardworking Vermonter since we first met when she was a student of mine at the University of Vermont. She knows firsthand the challenges facing communities across the state and is uniquely qualified to address them. Molly is the face of the next generation of Vermont leaders. I’m pleased to see her enter the race and look forward to what she will accomplish as Lieutenant Governor.”

Former DNC Finance Chair and Norwich resident Jane Stetson said, “Having worked with a lot of candidates in Vermont, I am very excited about Molly Gray’s race for Lieutenant Governor. She was raised on a farm in Orange County, educated in the State, and following her work abroad, centered around human rights and international humanitarian law, now serves as an Assistant Attorney General. I am wholeheartedly supporting her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor.”

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George endorsed Molly saying, “Many politicians use the struggles of rural communities, young professionals and women as talking points to get themselves elected, yet few of them actually know those struggles personally and even fewer follow-through on their promises to relieve such struggles. Molly Gray not only has the life experience to fully understand these struggles, but she has the passion and commitment it takes to use those experiences to make an actual difference in the lives of Vermonters.”

Mary Kehoe will serve as Molly’s treasurer for the campaign. Mary said, “I am pleased to serve as treasurer. I first met Molly when she was working for Peter Welch’s 2006 Congressional campaign. I was immediately impressed by her thoughtfulness and capacity to get things done. Her energy and dedication have continued to serve her well, first as a staffer for Peter Welch, then at the Red Cross, at Vermont Law School, as a Law Clerk for Judge Peter Hall on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, as a human rights monitor, and back home as an Assistant Attorney General for T.J. Donovan. I know Molly will bring that same level of dedication to the Office of Lieutenant Governor. I am proud to support Molly and be part of her campaign.”

Tom McHenry, President and Dean of Vermont Law School said, "Molly's deep commitment to Vermont is evident by her decision to obtain a law degree from Vermont Law School, her giving back to the School through her teaching as an Adjunct Professor, and her service to Vermont as an Assistant Attorney General."

John Caldwell, a Putney native, Olympian, and former US Ski Team coach said, “I’ve known the whole Gray family since 1941, starting with Ed and Mabel Gray. Their granddaughter, Molly Gray, is pure Vermont. Molly has always supported and appreciated life as Vermont presents its possibilities—lifestyle, good working environment, winter sports, agriculture, strong communities, good educational system—and she will continue in that role when elected.”

Craftsbury resident and farmer Pete Johnson of Pete’s Greens said, “Molly comes from a great Vermont farming family who embody the traits that make our rural economy special. Hard work, quality-focused, and caring towards those who are less fortunate. Our state government could benefit from a fresh face like Molly who can bring a common sense approach of rural Vermont to Montpelier.”