Democrat Joshua Ferguson was born in Rutland City, Vermont, and is a lifelong and multi-generation Vermonter. He was raised in Castleton and Fair Haven in a “working, blue-collar family with a rich history of service to the nation, tracing to the Green Mountain Boys and patriots in every subsequent generation.”
He graduated from Fair Haven Union High School in 2008. He later attended Green Mountain College before graduating from Castleton University summa cum laude—a first-generation college student—after studying international political economy, governance, and human rights. Ferguson then earned his public health degree from Columbia University, focusing on health policy, population, and family health.
Prop 5/Article 22
“Position: Vote Yes!
“Rationale: The constitutional amendment seeks to safeguard personal reproductive liberty for Vermonters. Beyond constitutional liberty, it is an essential public health interest for communities and individuals to navigate intimate decisions relating to reproductive health with autonomy and dignity without state intervention. Such decisions are best determined by patients and practitioners. In law, this amendment will facilitate the advancement of safe practices. I believe Vermonters, by and large, will support this amendment, and I believe constituents of Rutland County will vote yes come November.
“The public relations campaign against Proposal 5 is a disturbing and misguided use of funds that could be better spent providing sex education, essential health services, STI awareness, and access to contraceptives in communities across Vermont.
“Instead, it sought to align church and state, confuse voters on the standard of strict scrutiny, and misinterpret a constitutional amendment that will ultimately protect fundamental liberties. Meanwhile, Vermonters can be proud that practitioners have called for Vermont to serve as a safe harbor in a moment of darkness.”
Mental-health services
“Position: Mental health is a policy priority.
“Rationale: Mental health services are critical public health investments in our communities. Unmet needs persist across all segments of the population, ranging from youth to young adults, veterans, law enforcement, first responders, educators, and healthcare professionals to aging adults and caregivers who are underserved. Expanding access to mental health services must be a priority for those in high-demand professional sectors and vulnerable populations who are often left unserved or underserved.
“Mental health services are known to prevent crime, reduce suicidality, promote harm reduction, attenuate compassion fatigue, and foster recovery in communities. As a public health expert and graduate of Columbia University School of Public Health, I am well aware that mental health needs are pervasive in Vermont and around the country and that the pandemic has shown us the extent of need.
“Further, the pandemic has led to a rise in drug use and overdose deaths, a surge in suicide rates, and a host of challenges associated with isolation and hopelessness. Youth who have no caring adults or mentoring figures consistently present in their lives are at a heightened risk.
“Mental health services can help with addressing a wide range of social determinants of health. Community-based programs have benefitted from incorporating community-building and intergenerational engagement to stem the tide of pandemic-related isolation and other risk factors.
“Youth, young adults, and the elderly can engage with one another to improve mental health and draw rural communities out of feeling isolated to promote well-being. Parents made sacrifices to raise their kids through the challenges of a pandemic, and we need to rebuild connections in our communities by supporting mental health services.
“As a public health imperative, concerns like these compelled me to help stand up a youth center in my hometown, serve on the board of Mentor Connector, partner with Project VISION, advocate for funding for statewide afterschool enrichment programs, and stand with a new generation of leaders.
Workforce development
“Position: Vermont has an acute labor shortage.
“Rationale: Workforce development and economic growth must be pursued in parallel with business development strategies to expand opportunities. Economic and workforce development was a key focus area of the last biennium, including investments in Vermont’s career technical education system and statewide efforts to increase workforce participation across sectors.
“For instance, Vermont can identify better ways to educate and facilitate vocational training for incarcerated individuals, young adults, and immigrants. Initiatives aimed at gainful employment, education advancement across sectors, compelling incentives and benefits, and partnerships with companies may help to address gaps in workforce participation.
“Adding to this complex issue, a lack of affordable housing presents a challenge for attracting and retaining a thriving workforce.
“I would bring the mindset and skillset of a new generation of leadership to approach these issues and ensure that Rutland County has a principled voice of civility in Montpelier. In the Senate, I hope to build upon recent progress and add vision by engaging and bringing a more diverse set of stakeholders together to innovate and problem-solve.
“By virtue of being among a new generation of leaders, I bring a unique edge in skills and strengths to facilitate connectivity, communication, and innovation on all fronts. To reiterate, underlying all of the workforce shortages are critical gaps in childcare.
Equity/Inclusivity
“Position: Vermont values.
“Rationale: In my nomination announcement, I remarked that I want my campaign to embrace a powerful sense of equity and common hope and belonging for all Vermonters—by birth and by choice. Those values are core to my ethos as a citizen, civic innovator, and champion of a new generation of leadership.
“Inequities exist in our communities that we can point to and address by working to enfranchise Vermonters of all abilities and backgrounds in our democracy, economy, and opportunity. We must also reconcile the dark hours of our history.
“Vermonters often point to a dynamic of geographic inequity, where one county receives greater attention and favor than others. In terms of public health, there are disparities in health outcomes along lines of socioeconomic status, gender, and race.
“In terms of engagement in the democratic process, the pandemic has presented an opportunity for a more open virtual democracy and digital economies accessible to all people online.
“In terms of the judiciary and judicial representation, I strongly believe we need to encourage and promote diverse prosecutors, judges, and administrators in the judicial system.
“Finally, in terms of representation, I am immensely proud that we will be sending our first woman to Congress in this election.”
Public Education
“Position: Protect public education, develop education workforce, enhance educator benefits, and improve student outcomes.
“Rationale: There are a number of key legislative initiatives and proposals on the table that will help strengthen our public education system and outcomes: (1) Develop education workforce; (2) Implementation of universal meals program; (3) Farm-to-school programs and partnerships within local and regional food systems; (4) Investments in outdoor education and experiential learning opportunities; (5) Early college preparation and support for first-generation college students; (6) Mental health services in school settings for students and professionals; (7) Enhance benefits and advance interests of retiring educators (many of whom stand-in part-time in light of shortages) and focus on attracting new educators to address shortages; and (8) Provide robust civics and social studies curriculum, relevant skilled trades curriculum, STEM curriculum, and programs to train childcare professionals, primary educators, and healthcare professionals.
“One dimension of the workforce shortage is that parents face balancing high costs and responsibilities associated with childcare and healthcare while maintaining employment or advancing in a meaningful career. These complex challenges may shed light on opportunities in public education.”
Gun control
“Position: Responsible gun ownership and common-sense safeguards.
“Rationale: The Bill of Rights is non-negotiable; the Second Amendment is non-negotiable; responsible gun ownership and sensible safeguards are compatible with the Second Amendment and the spirit of the Constitution.
“I have met hundreds of gun owners who found common ground in supporting responsible gun ownership and basic safeguards that seek to ensure safe storage, safety training when needed, extreme risk laws, background checks, averting ghost guns, and enforcing existing laws. I agree with Gun Owners for Responsible Gun Ownership that Second Amendment rights come with responsibilities.
Business development
“Position: Attract and grow business and promote a culture of innovation.
“Rationale: Business development is key to expanding opportunity. Vermont possesses an incredible potential for business development to invigorate industries, bolster entrepreneurship across sectors, and grow Vermont’s tax base.
“Sustainable business-friendly policies and programs should aim to encourage business development and innovation as a key objective of growing our economy by supporting businesses in childcare, technology, aviation, composting, cannabis, film industry, media, sustainable agriculture, manufacturing, food and beverage, arts and culture, broadband, renewable energy, tourism and other sectors that will benefit from broad capital investments and growth.
“A commitment to economic growth means ensuring that Vermont is attractive and competitive for investing, incubating new start-ups, and developing sustainable business-friendly policies.
“Coming of age in the 21st century affords unique skills and tools to leverage technologies to govern as part of a new generation of leadership. We need the physical highways and the digital highways—where everyone can move onward together in broad development efforts.
“We have the resources to bring about a shift in how we build and navigate the road ahead. A forward-looking, cross-sector approach to business development will promise a vibrant future for Vermont.
“We can encourage new business models and support traditional businesses with adapting to stay up to speed with change, incorporate sustainable solutions—such as cutting expenses with renewable energies or entering the digital economy—introducing new technologies, evaluating business needs, and employing tools to train and upskill the workforce. We should focus the best of our energies on promoting a culture of innovation.
Agriculture
“Position: Sustainable agriculture.
“Rationale: Vermont’s agriculture sector is adapting to new pressures and demands. In the face of climate pressures, shifting seasons, and inflation, agriculture reveals both shortcomings and solutions for sustainability.
“Despite demands and pressures, agriculture remains central to Vermont’s heritage and identity. It is a key sector at the intersection of environmental stewardship, sustainable and regenerative practices, farming and food systems, research and development, and soil and nutrient management.
“Brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Cabot are powerhouse Vermont brands famously derived from our dairy industry, along with a multimillion-dollar maple product market. According to a 2021 State Agriculture Overview by the USDA, Vermont maple products represented $56M in value of production.
“In contrast, the loss of Green Mountain College in the heart of Rutland County, with its strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture curriculum and focus on local food system innovation, left a vast void in Vermont.
“Likewise, the loss of Thomas Dairy left a void after a century in business in the community, county, and greater region, as reported by VtDigger. Communities continue to ask: Are these losses preventable?
“My vision involves strengthening our agricultural economy and business development efforts by seeking solutions that help businesses and institutions adapt to succeed in the 21st century.
Looking forward, cannabis and hemp will be a significant emergent subsector of the agriculture economy in Vermont that may bolster economic development and offer new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
“I am proposing a special summit or forum series be held to convene policymakers and stakeholders in this emerging sector together on the campus of Castleton University to discuss innovating and growing the sector.”
Immigration to Vermont
“Position: All are welcome.
“Rationale: Vermont has a long history of welcoming immigrants, refugees, and newcomers from all walks of life. Vermonters should be proud of that legacy. Our welcoming stance speaks volumes of Vermont’s values of humanity, dignity, mutual respect, freedom, and unity.
“By embracing immigration and welcoming people of all backgrounds, our state benefits from business creation, cross-cultural competencies, higher education enrollment, workforce participation, and new families who help to stitch together a multicultural fabric in our communities. We must remember we are a nation born of immigration.
“Refugee resettlement programs offer a supportive transition with the aim of self-sufficiency. As evidenced by recent resettlement efforts with Afghan citizens who served as partners with our armed forces through decades of war, resettlement programs help to advance national interests and honor multilateral commitments. USCRI Vermont has provided assistance to over 8,000 refugees in the last four decades with starting new lives in Vermont.
“Castleton University also serves as a beacon of bringing people from culturally distinct regions of the US and every region of the world together to enrich Vermont scholarship. Diversity in scholarship is a strength that contributes to our way of life. I support Vermont institutions of higher learning in efforts to bolster international student enrollment.”
Police Reform
“Position: Support law enforcement.
“Rationale: Our police force deserves the respect and resources to do a tough job with ample support for training and tools to serve and protect our communities. I’m pro-police, law, and order.
“I support funding law enforcement at all levels, including mapping out interagency collaboration, crisis intervention teams, police social workers, and community policing models.
In recent discussions with law enforcement professionals in Rutland County, the Team Two training program facilitated by Vermont Care Partners has been cited several times to improve mental health crisis response.
“We need to stay up to pace on new policing models and implementing best practices. To that end, I envision building support for innovative models that our law enforcement community is actively exploring. Additional measures include supporting law enforcement agencies by recruiting skilled candidates to protect and serve their communities.”
