News & Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 8, 2026

Contact: Marc Gwinn, marc@marcgwinnformontpelier.com

Marc Gwinn Announces Run for Mayor of Montpelier

Gwinn lays out vision for the future of the capital city

Montpelier, VT – Today, on the steps of City Hall in Montpelier, Marc Gwinn announced his intention to run to be the city’s next Mayor. Gwinn is a father, teacher, musician, and financial advisor.

Gwinn stated, “Montpelier is at an inflection point in our history that presents tremendous opportunities. These opportunities are ours to seize or to squander, and our success will depend on our ability to unify around our common goals. The future of our community is where we must focus our collective energy.”

Gwinn added, “In the past, I have been a reluctant leader, never seeking responsibility but willing to fill a gap as band leader, head teacher, event organizer, or even Rotary president." 

"In 2023, when our city was hit by historic flooding, that reluctance changed. I realized that I have had a wonderful life because there has always been some adult in the room making sure that the rest of us were taken care of. I also realized that it has become my turn to serve as one of the adults in the room.”

Gwinn serves on the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience (MCRR), where he had the privilege of leading the collaborative processes that created MAPLE (Montpelier Action Plan for Local Emergency) and Montpelier Neighbor Net (MNN). He worked with MCRR and Montpelier Alive to develop an emergency preparedness plan template with businesses to refine and individualize their unique emergency preparedness plans. He continues to work with the Montpelier Rotary Club to provide food and leadership development opportunities for Montpelier’s youth.

Gwinn noted, “The most important lesson that I learned during these two years is that the power to affect change lies in partnership. The power of the Commission was not its authority; it had none. It was not in its resources; they were limited. It was in its people. People who listened to the community to know what was important, people who had individual expertise that added up to group wisdom, and people who understood which institutions and individuals held actual authority and power. The role of the Commission was to bring those forces together. The role of the Commission was to provide leadership.”

As mayor, Gwinn pledges to bring that same approach to City Council.

He outlined a vision for Montpelier that includes:

• More Housing - We should set ambitious but achievable targets for new housing over the next 10 years. This should include housing of all types at all levels of affordability. 

• Investments in Infrastructure - These investments need to address our current challenges while strategically  coordinating with specific development project needs. We need to be creative about how to pay for these projects by leveraging state funding sources (like CHIP) and partnerships with developers.

• Economic Development - We must do all that we can to support our existing downtown business and to attract new ventures that are consistent with Montpelier’s character, history, and future goals.

• Culture of Preparedness and Resilience - To protect all of our efforts against future disasters, all decisions should keep in mind a lens of resilience to flooding, pandemics, economic downturn, and other potential challenges. Individual preparedness adds up to community preparedness. We all have a part to play, and perhaps the city most of all. 

He also believes that Montpelier’s next mayor must:

• Clearly articulate our community’s shared vision of long-term success to the public

• Keep the community engaged and invested with optimism and forward momentum by cheerleading our efforts and progress

• Proactively lead City Council meetings with civility, openness, and deep listening to find common understanding

• Focus our conversations on common ground where progress can be made

• Build partnerships with non-profits, state government, and local volunteers to bridge gaps in the City’s capacity to deliver the services we need but cannot afford

Gwinn stated, “As a teacher, I have always found ways to explain things so that my audience can understand. From kindergarten through university to older adults in multiple languages, people have said to me again and again, “I have never had it shown to me in that way before.” As a financial advisor, my primary role is to listen deeply to families and businesses to learn what is most important to them.”

He concluded, “As a musician, I keep my heart and ears open for harmony and discord and in the moment and then lead, follow, or remain silent as best serves the collective experiences of musicians and audiences alike. As a father and a neighbor I care very deeply about the future of Montpelier. All of these roles have prepared me to serve as Mayor. I intend to live the rest of my days in this town, and I am committed to making us the very best we can be…for me, for my children, and for all of us.”

Learn more at: https://www.marcgwinnformontpelier.com

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