Our Picks

Candidates supported by Barre City Republicans.

Thom Lauzon for Mayor

Thom Lauzon is a longtime Barre public servant, accountant, and local developer with deep roots in the Granite City. Born in Bennington, Lauzon moved to Barre with his family when he was six years old, attended local schools, and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1979. One of eight siblings, he built both his professional life and public service career in the city he has called home for decades.

Lauzon has served Barre in multiple elected roles, including on the former Barre City School Board, as a Ward 1 city councilor, and as mayor. He was first elected mayor in 2006 after defeating incumbent Peter Anthony and has gone on to win the mayor’s race seven times. Known for his direct style, persistence, and willingness to push major projects forward, Lauzon has played a central role in several significant Barre initiatives, including the construction of Barre City Elementary and Middle School, the reconstruction of North Main Street known as the “Big Dig,” and the development of Barre City Place.

As mayor, Lauzon has focused on housing, infrastructure, public safety, flood recovery, and downtown redevelopment. He has identified Barre’s north end flood recovery as a top priority and has continued to push for disaster recovery funding. He has also supported the Prospect Heights housing project, and increased investment in paving.

Thom Lauzon brings decades of community service to the table. His connections to state officials and business owners poise him as a perfect candidate for Barre City Mayor. His leadership has brought Barre forward and we believe him occupying that seat will continue the path to a better Barre. Learn more about him on his Facebook page, click the "Learn More" link.

John Hood

John Hood is a longtime Barre resident, local business owner, and candidate for Ward 1 City Council. Originally from East Barre, he has lived in the city since 1980 and, along with his wife Diane, has owned and operated local businesses since 1995, including co-owning The Meltdown Grilled Cheese & Tap Room. Through decades of working in the community—especially navigating the economic challenges of recent years—John has developed a strong understanding of the issues facing local families, homeowners, and small businesses.

John is running for City Council because of his deep commitment to Barre and its future. He supports responsible budgeting, transparency in government, infrastructure improvements, and policies that strengthen the local economy while protecting residents. A proud father of two, John believes in practical, respectful leadership and is focused on making Barre a place where families can thrive and future generations choose to stay.

We believe John Hood will make an excellent representative for Ward 1.