Ashley Bartley and Bob Stebbins Announce Campaign for the Vermont House of Representatives

Incumbent Representative Ashley Bartley thanks Representative Carolyn Branagan for her service and friendship and announces campaign with Bob Stebbins for the Vermont House of Representatives

Montpelier, VT - Representative Carolyn Branagan, a long-time member of the Vermont House of Representatives and former State Senator, announced today that she will not seek re-election in 2026, concluding a distinguished career serving the residents of Fairfax and her hometown of Georgia. 

Representative Carolyn Branagan issued the following statement announcing her retirement from public office.

“It has been my privilege and honor to serve the people in Franklin-1.  Since  first elected in 2002, I have held their trust close and protected their welfare to the best of my ability. All things come to an end and I look forward to more free time with my family, my gardens and the freedom to travel with my husband of 50 years. 

I strongly support both Ashley Bartley and Bob Stebbins. I am so proud of Ashley, her energy and commitment to public service will continue to serve us well.  Bob Stebbins is a longtime family friend . He is extremely devoted to our state, served in the Marine Corps and has had a long, honorable career in law enforcement. 

I am not leaving Vermont . I’ll be home in Georgia much more and look forward to seeing you all . 

Congratulations to both Ashley and Bob. Good luck in the campaign!”

In response, Representative Ashley Bartley, who has served alongside Branagan since 2023, released the following statement:

“Over the last four years, I’ve truly cherished the opportunity to serve alongside Carolyn and learn from her decades of dedication to our communities. When we first teamed up during the 2022 election, we jokingly called ourselves “The Killer B’s,” but behind that lighthearted nickname was a genuine partnership I came to value deeply. From day one, I looked to Carolyn for her wisdom, her steady leadership, and her unwavering commitment to the people we serve—and I’m incredibly grateful for all she’s shared with me along the way.

Thank you, Carolyn, truly, from the bottom of my heart. While I know you won’t be far, it won’t be the same not seeing you in the front row of the House chamber.”

With Representative Branagan’s retirement, Georgia resident Bob Stebbins has announced his candidacy for the open seat. Representative Bartley and Stebbins plan to run together, united by a shared focus on affordability, support for rural Vermont communities, and a commitment to finding common ground across party lines.

Stebbins added:

“I am honored to have the support of Carolyn and Ashley. I am committed to working hard for the residents of Fairfax and Georgia—listening, advocating, and communicating every step of the way. If elected, I will bring a strong record of civil service and a willingness to work with anyone to get results for our communities.”

In the coming weeks, Bartley and Stebbins will be meeting with residents across Fairfax and Georgia, listening to their concerns, and building a grassroots campaign focused on delivering practical solutions for Vermonters.

About Ashley Bartley

Ashley Bartley is a lifelong Vermonter who proudly calls Fairfax home since 2020, when she and her family fell in love with the community. She is a graduate of Champlain Valley Union High School and earned her degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Vermont.

Ashley brings a strong professional background in human resources, operations, and organizational leadership. Prior to the 2023 Legislative Session, she served as Director of Human Resources & Operations for a property management firm, where she developed deep expertise in budgeting, profit and loss management, and workforce dynamics. She currently serves as a Senior Human Resource Generalist for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, where she continues to focus on people, policy, and organizational effectiveness.

Deeply committed to her community, Ashley has been actively involved in a wide range of local initiatives. She has volunteered as a tee-ball coach, served on the Fairfax Community Library Board of Trustees, was appointed to a recreation advisory committee, supported the Vermont Donor Milk Center, was a board member on the Franklin Home Health Agency, and helped organize Chittenden County’s first Diaper Bank. 

First elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 2023, Ashley currently serves as Vice-Chair of the House Committee on General & Housing. Co-Chair of the Caucus for Vermont’s Economy and she is also a member of the House Ethics Panel, the Canvassing Committee, the Advisory Council on Child Poverty and Strengthening Families, the Agriculture Labor Study Committee, and the Basic Needs Budget Technical Advisory Committee.

When not serving her community or working, she can be found in her kitchen, cooking with her family, chasing the kids around the garden, or bouncing from hockey rink to Little League field. Ashley lives in Fairfax with her husband Jeff, their two children, George and Reagan, and their eccentric dog, Duke, along with their spunky cat, Bronx.

About Bob Stebbins

Bob Stebbins is a lifelong Vermonter, born and raised in Middlebury, where he attended public schools in Addison County. With family roots in Vermont dating back to the 1860s, Bob has a deep appreciation for the values and challenges of rural New England life.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Castleton State College and went on to build a distinguished career in public service. For the past 26 years, Bob has served as a State Deputy Sheriff, rising through the ranks from Deputy Sheriff to Captain. He is also an appointed member of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, helping shape law enforcement standards and training across the state.

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as both a rifleman and Scout-Sniper. During his service, he was deployed overseas to Okinawa and the Indian Ocean, and he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

He is a member in good standing of the American Legion, Post 14, and has remained committed to supporting veterans and his local community.

Since 2000, Bob has lived in Georgia, Vermont, with his wife Angela. Together, they enjoy spending time outdoors with their dogs and cats, snowmobiling, boating, and relaxing with family and friends.

If elected, Bob is committed to addressing the unsustainable tax burden facing both working families and retirees in Vermont. He believes in finding common ground, even in times of division, and would bring his strong record of military and public service to Montpelier to deliver practical, results-driven leadership.