BRATTLEBORO — During their meeting on May 13, members of the Windham County Democratic Committee identified Deputy Sheriff Mark Anderson as their recommended candidate to succeed Sheriff Keith Clark, who will retire June 30.
With this decision, Anderson's name will be sent to Governor Phil Scott for final consideration.
Democrats also considered another applicant, Bellows Falls Police Chief Ron Lake, but his name was not forwarded to the governor.
The need for a sheriff candidate was driven by Sheriff Keith Clark's announcement last month of his retirement.
In the 2018 election, Sheriff Clark had been re-elected to the position, running on the Democratic ticket.
Upon Clark's announcement of his retirement, the governor's office contacted the WCDC for recommended candidates from which Scott could appoint the new sheriff.
Since the sheriff is a four-year elected position, Clark's replacement will be serving the final 3{1/2} years of the term starting in July.
In their process of identifying candidates, the WCDC solicited comments from the public and hosted a listening session to hear issues of concern and importance to community members. Notification of the vacancy was sent out around the region.
Deputy Sheriff of Windham County Mark Anderson and Bellows Falls Police Chief Ron Lake both submitted applications.
The WCDC reviewed the applications and held extended meetings with both candidates before arriving at their final recommendation.
Anderson, of Vernon, has served as a deputy in the Windham County Sheriff's office for 14 years and is currently the second-in-command.
He is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration in management.
In 2018, Anderson was elected as high bailiff for Windham County.