Former Franklin County Prosecutor Bram Kranichfeld Challenges Incumbent Chittenden County State's Attorney

Kranichfeld says he wants to restore faith in the local criminal justice system.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:50pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a government building with a lone figure standing outside, casting long shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the role of the criminal justice system in the community.The race for Chittenden County State's Attorney will test the community's vision for criminal justice reform.Burlington Today

Bram Kranichfeld, the former top prosecutor in Franklin County, has announced his candidacy for Chittenden County State's Attorney, challenging incumbent Sarah George. Kranichfeld, a longtime Burlington resident, said he wants to 'restore faith in the local criminal justice system' and 'hold together the thread of this beautiful, welcoming, caring, tight-knit, dynamic, diverse, off-beat community.'

Why it matters

The race for Chittenden County State's Attorney is an important one, as the office plays a key role in shaping the local criminal justice system and community relations. Kranichfeld's challenge to the incumbent George presents voters with a choice between two different visions for the role.

The details

Kranichfeld has been leading the State Attorney's Office in Franklin County since John Lavoie resigned from the role in 2024. He formerly represented Ward 2 on Burlington's City Council. His bid challenges incumbent Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George, who released a statement saying she welcomes the challenge and looks forward to a race based in facts.

  • Kranichfeld announced his candidacy on March 30, 2026.

The players

Bram Kranichfeld

The former top prosecutor in Franklin County who is now running for Chittenden County State's Attorney.

Sarah George

The incumbent Chittenden County State's Attorney who is being challenged by Kranichfeld.

John Lavoie

The former Franklin County State's Attorney who resigned from the role in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“We can hold together the thread of this beautiful, welcoming, caring, tight-knit, dynamic, diverse, off-beat community that we have here in Chittenden County, but we have to actually do something in order to do that.”

— Bram Kranichfeld, Candidate for Chittenden County State's Attorney

“I welcome the challenge and look forward to a race based in facts.”

— Sarah George, Incumbent Chittenden County State's Attorney

What’s next

The election for Chittenden County State's Attorney will be held in November 2026.

The takeaway

This race presents voters with a choice between two different visions for the role of Chittenden County State's Attorney, with Kranichfeld promising to 'restore faith in the local criminal justice system' and George welcoming the challenge. The outcome could have significant implications for the community's relationship with the criminal justice system.