Lance Mills

Lance Mills is the Democratic candidate for the Vermont House of Representatives in the Orange-2 District in the November 3, 2026 general election. A retired teacher and vice-chair of the Fairlee Selectboard, he says affordability, health care costs and the way Vermont funds education are his main concerns.[1][2][3]

Lance Mills earned a high school diploma from Ludlow High School, a bachelor's degree from Norwich University in 2003, and a graduate degree from Union Institute & University in 2010.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he worked in carpentry for 20 years before returning to college to become a teacher, then taught at Rivendell Academy, Connecticut River Academy and Oxbow High School before an 18-year career at River Bend Career & Technical Center in Bradford.[3] He said he served as a building representative, negotiator and president of the Orange East Education Association, served on the Vermont-NEA Board of Directors, and now represents Vermont-NEA on the Vermont Educator Health Initiative Board of Directors.[3]

Mills lost the Democratic primary for the Orange-2 District seat in 2022 to Monique Priestley, and advanced from the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026.[1][2] In the survey he described himself as the vice-chair of the Fairlee Selectboard and a member of the Fairlee Cemetery Commission for more than 30 years, and said he has coached youth and varsity teams and served as a Cub Scout leader.[3] He listed three campaign messages: reducing the overall tax burden on working-class Vermonters, continuing efforts to lower health care and health insurance costs, and changing how education is funded so that less of the burden falls on property owners.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.