Jonathan West Named Chair of Bennington County Democratic Committee
Bennington, VT—The Bennington County Democratic Committee has named Jonathan West its Interim Chair, following the outstanding leadership of outgoing Chair Jim Ramsey. West, a dedicated advocate for Democratic values and community engagement, will lead the committee through this crucial election cycle, focusing on strengthening local organizing efforts and expanding outreach across the county.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue the incredible work that Jim Ramsey has done in building and growing our committee,” said West. “Jim’s leadership and mentorship have empowered so many of us. I look forward to working with our executive committee, local activists, and the Vermont Democratic Party to ensure that Bennington County remains a stronghold of Democratic organizing and a model for counties across the state.”
West has been a key figure in the Democratic movement in Bennington County, helping to expand outreach, improve data-driven voter engagement, and build coalitions with organizations such as the NAACP, Indivisible, and Queer Connect. His leadership will focus on strengthening internal communication, ensuring every town in the county is actively engaged, and preparing for the upcoming election cycle with a proactive and aggressive strategy.
“With Jim Ramsey now leading the Vermont Democratic Party, Bennington County has a unique opportunity to shape the direction of Democratic organizing across the state,” West continued. “We are ready to compete in every race, push back against the Scott administration’s harmful policies, and fight for the issues that matter most to our communities—affordable housing, economic opportunity, reproductive rights, and protecting vital programs like Universal School Lunch.”
As Interim Chair, West will prioritize coalition-building and expanding the county’s grassroots network while maintaining the committee’s strong track record of voter engagement.
“The foundation is strong, but we have more work to do,” West said. “I look forward to working with every member of our committee to continue building a Democratic coalition that not only wins elections but strengthens our communities.”
For more information or to get involved, contact chair@benndems.org or visit benndems.org.
About Jonathan West
Jonathan West is a dedicated political organizer, software executive, and community leader based in Manchester, Vermont. He serves on the Manchester Selectboard and as Chair of the Manchester Housing Task Force. He is the current Chair of the Manchester Town Democratic Committee and previously served as the Marketing and Outreach Director for the Bennington County Democratic Party. A lifelong Democrat, he grew up watching his father serve in local government and ran his first political campaign at just nine years old. West lives in Manchester with his husband, Thomas, and four children (Grace, Charlotte, Eleanor, and Henry). He is committed to making Vermont a place where all residents can thrive.
