Sarah George
Sarah George | |
|---|---|
.jpg) George in 2018 | |
| State's Attorney of Chittenden County | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | T. J. Donovan |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
Sarah George is an American politician and prosecutor from the state of Vermont. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as the State's Attorney of Chittenden County since 2017. A progressive prosecutor, she has pursued criminal justice reform in office, avoiding seeking cash bail and discouraging the practice of non-public safety traffic stops.[1]
Early life
[edit]George was born and raised in Quechee, Vermont.[2] As late as 2018, she worked part-time as a waitress in a Quechee restaurant.[3] She holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Connecticut, a master's degree in Forensic Psychology from Castleton State College, and a J.D. from Vermont Law School.[4]
Career
[edit]George was appointed to the position in 2017 when her predecessor T.J. Donovan left office after being elected Attorney General of Vermont. She won a full term in 2018 with 99.1% of the vote.[5] In 2022, she was challenged in the Democratic primary by Ted Kenney, a member of the Williston Board of Selectmen who claimed that George's policies made the county less safe. Kenney was supported by multiple police unions, and the Vermont Republican Party encouraged Republicans to request a Democratic ballot so they could vote against George. However, George easily prevailed in the primary, defeating Kenney by a 53%-33% margin. She was unopposed in the general election.[6]
In the 2026 Democratic primary, George is being challenged by her former deputy, Bram Kranichfeld. As of 2026, Kranichfeld serves as State's Attorney for Franklin County, where he has declined to run for reelection.[7]
In April 2026, George declined to prosecute three protesters who were arrested by Vermont State Police at an ICE raid.[8]
Policies
[edit]George has emphasized decarceral practices during her tenure as State's Attorney. She has ended cash bail in Chittenden County, attributing it to a "system [...] built on the oppression and caging of black, brown, and poor people, designed to preserve racial and class order".[9] She seeks to avoid jail time in nonviolent criminal cases, and has declined to prosecute many cases resulting from non-public safety related traffic stops, due to possible racial profiling.[7][10] George is a strong proponent of restorative justice programs.[11][12]
The frequency of some types of violent crime, including assault, decreased between 2024 and 2025, and overall arrests have decreased since George took office. George's critics note an increase in visible drug use, homelessness, and resulting crime in Chittenden County, and Burlington in particular, during George's tenure.[13]
References
[edit]- ↑ Tensley, Eva McKend, Brandon (November 6, 2022). "What critics of progressive prosecution get wrong about crime spikes and the reform movement". CNN.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Her own brand of justice: Quechee's Sarah George presses progressive reforms as prosecutor". VTDigger. February 14, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Spring, 2018 - Making Her Mark: Sarah George, Chittenden County State's Attorney by Elayne Clift". www.vermontwoman.com. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Sarah George". Champlain College. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ "Sarah George to run for reelection as Chittenden County State's Attorney | Vermont Business Magazine". vermontbiz.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ↑ Ruehsen, Ella; Weinstein, Ethan (August 9, 2022). "Sarah George defeats police-backed challenger in Democratic primary for Chittenden County prosecutor". VTDigger.
- 1 2 Bendavid, Ike (July 16, 2026). "Campaign Countdown: Former coworkers face off in Chittenden County state's attorney race". WCAX. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Elder-Connors, Liam (April 22, 2026). "Chittenden County state's attorney won't charge protesters in South Burlington ICE raid". Vermont Public. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ ehaganhowe@acluvt.org (April 14, 2022). "Guest Blog: Ending Cash Bail by Sarah George". ACLU of Vermont. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Powell, Michael (July 30, 2026). "The Cities That Said Yes to Drugs". The Atlantic. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Goodman, David (April 29, 2026). "Vermont Conversation: What happens when law enforcement is lawless?". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Barajas, Michael; French, Piper (July 18, 2022). "A Vermont Prosecutor Expanded Restorative Justice. Now She's Defending It At the Polls". Bolts. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
- ↑ Elder-Connors, Liam (July 28, 2026). "In race for Chittenden County state's attorney, progressive prosecution is on trial". Vermont Public. Retrieved July 30, 2026.