Rutland City's Mayoral Race Packed With Write-In Candidates

Voters to choose next mayor in rare write-in election after unexpected resignation

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Despite ongoing debate about the process, Rutland City will elect its next mayor by write-in voting next Tuesday after current Mayor Mike Doenges unexpectedly announced his resignation midway through his second term. The election was set in motion on Jan. 29, and the next mayor will serve the remaining year left in Doenges' two-year term. On Town Meeting Day, the victor will be decided by plurality vote, meaning whoever gets the most votes wins.

Why it matters

Rutland City's write-in mayoral election is an unusual process that has drawn criticism from some officials, who argue it does not provide enough time for candidates to campaign. However, the city's legal counsel determined this was the only option under the city charter following Doenges' resignation shortly before the annual Town Meeting.

The details

After Doenges' resignation took effect on Friday, mere days before the annual Town Meeting, Rutland City voters must choose their next mayor by a write-in election, according to a legal opinion. The city already has tabulators that will count write-in votes on Tuesday night. Over 400 residents have already cast their ballots as of Friday. Several candidates have entered the race, including former mayor Chris Louras, current Board of Aldermen member Tom Donahue, and current Board President David Allaire.

  • On Jan. 29, current Mayor Mike Doenges unexpectedly announced his resignation midway through his second term.
  • Doenges' resignation took effect on Friday, mere days before the annual Town Meeting.
  • The write-in mayoral election will take place on Town Meeting Day next Tuesday.

The players

Mike Doenges

The current mayor of Rutland City who unexpectedly announced his resignation midway through his second term.

Chris Louras

A former mayor who served in the role for 10 years until 2017, and has criticized the write-in election process as a 'circus' and 'bordering on a farce.'

Tom Donahue

A current member of the Rutland City Board of Aldermen and the chief executive officer of BROC Community Action, who is running for mayor on a platform focused on improving public safety and building upon economic development projects.

David Allaire

The current president of the Rutland City Board of Aldermen, who served as mayor for six years before Doenges unseated him, and has entered the race after criticizing the short campaign timeline.

Henry Heck

A former city clerk who ran for mayor last year and lost to Doenges, and is now running again while questioning the decision to hold a write-in election.

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What they’re saying

“Having us all unified day one is the only way we're going to meet with success in the next year, so their support is monumental in accomplishing that and not wasting the next year.”

— Tom Donahue, Board of Aldermen member and CEO of BROC Community Action (vtdigger.org)

“A one month campaign with basically no debates, no time to fundraise, just basically getting your word out on social media and name recognition is not a good way to elect a mayor, but I think I can bring stability to the mayor's office.”

— David Allaire, Rutland City Board President (vtdigger.org)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Rutland City's unusual write-in mayoral election has drawn criticism from some officials who argue the short timeline does not provide enough time for candidates to campaign effectively. However, the city's legal counsel determined this was the only option under the city charter following the unexpected resignation of the current mayor shortly before the annual Town Meeting.