ANGELO LYNN

While party primaries don’t usually get a lot of attention in Addison County, this year is an exception in two important races: the Senate race and the House race for Addison-4. Both races feature six candidates, three from each party, for two seats in each race — meaning the primary will eliminate one candidate from each party.

The Senate race includes three well-known Democrats: Two-term House Representative Caleb Elder is challenging incumbents Sens. Chris Bray and Ruth Hardy.

For Republicans, Bristol-based businessman Steven Heffernan is competing against Leicester resident Lesley Bienvenue, who has in the past worked in childcare, and Landel James Cochran, who is a Huntington selectman and a data services manager at a software company in Essex Junction.

Because Rep. Caleb Elder, Starksboro, opted out of the Addison-4 race, which covers Bristol, Lincoln, Monkton and Starksboro, to pursue a Senate seat, the lone incumbent is Lincoln Democrat Rep. Mari Cordes. She has teamed up with fellow Lincolnite Jeanne Albert to campaign together. Herb Olson, a Starksboro Democrat, rounds out the Democratic challenge.

For Republicans, Bristol Republican Chanin Hill challenges Monkton residents Lynne Caulfield and Renee McGuiness. The top two from each party will advance to the General Election in November.

It’s rare to have two well-known, firmly entrenched Senate Democrats be challenged in the primary by a well-liked House member. An upset would be significant because Sen. Bray currently chairs the Senate Natural Resources & Energy Committee, and serves on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, and the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and Joint Carbon Reduction Committee. Meanwhile, Sen. Hardy chairs the Senate Committee on Government Operations and serves on the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, the Canvassing Committee and the Judicial Retention Committee.

This column does not typically endorse candidates in the primary, but we encourage voters to read today’s front-page story on the primary race and refer to the links to stories on each candidate that the Independent has published over the past several weeks. Take the time to know their backgrounds, and where they stand on the big issues facing the state. Electing the best candidates for the job is the first responsibility of voters if we want Vermont to thrive.

Angelo Lynn