Mahr announces run for first selectman

#Middlebury #Mahr #FirstSelectman

Middlebury Selectman Jennifer Mahr today announced her run for first selectman in the November 4, 2025, election in the following press release:

Jennifer Mahr

This week, board of selectmen member and president of the Middlebury Small Town Alliance (MSTA) Jennifer Mahr officially announced her candidacy for Middlebury’s first selectman. Mahr, who helped organize widespread opposition to the redevelopment of the Timex Headquarters in 2023, seeks to produce a transparent and accountable local government that respects all resident concerns.

Mahr holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a master’s degree in law and diplomacy (MALD) from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. She was an active-duty Coast Guard Officer from 1996-2004, and her experience in community activism dates to 2012, when she ran a nonprofit addressing land use concerns for eight years. Her leadership of the MSTA in 2023 helped launch a winning campaign that same year for a seat on the board of selectmen, where she beat her next closest competitor by more than 600 votes.

“It’s time for Middlebury to be heard,” said Mahr in a statement. “I’m running because residents have asked for a more transparent government. They want clarity and accountability in the decision-making process, leadership that is in touch with and responsive to their concerns, and a clearly articulated vision for Middlebury’s future.”

Mahr is running to bring accountability and trust back into Middlebury’s local government after alleging years of “Ed’s way or the highway” in the current administration. In her time as selectman, Mahr said she witnessed several instances where current First Selectman Edward St. John disregarded process and community concerns in pursuit of a personalized political agenda.

“Our first selectman believes that any opinion different from his is a threat,” said Mahr. “Whether it’s a small concern or something that affects most residents, St. John has maintained the ‘this is how we’ve always done it’ attitude to sidestep legitimate resident criticism. Most notably, when an overwhelming number of Middlebury residents spoke out against the distribution center development, our first selectman used town resources to support the developer, sidelined our interests, and retaliated against officials of the same party who went against his wishes.”

Mahr believes that every Middlebury resident deserves a voice, which is why she is running for first selectman as an unaffiliated candidate. Her commitment to bipartisanship has gained significant following with voters of all party affiliations, as previously seen from her landslide victory as selectman in 2023.

“Middlebury is not run by one party, it’s run by one man, and it has been for almost three decades,” Mahr concluded. “If you are a Middlebury resident and you believe that your voice isn’t being heard, vote for change. If you are afraid to question our administration, vote for change. If you want to protect our small-town values while respecting all interests, it’s time to vote for change.”

Jennifer Mahr is a happily married mother of three, whose vision for Middlebury’s future preserves its small-town charm while protecting affordability, safety, and democratic processes. If you are interested in learning more about her campaign or where to donate, please visit www.MahrforMiddlebury.com. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook and Instagram @MahrforMiddlebury or to contact her with questions, ideas, and concerns at MahrforMiddlebury@gmail.com.