Rainville Announces Run for Franklin County State Senator
, on Apr 14, 2026
I am announcing as a candidate for the office of a Franklin County (and Alburg) Senator in the General Election to be held on November 3, 2026. Running as a moderate Democrat, the theme will be "Let's be reasonable" in all things economic, legal, and social with an emphasis on affordability for all.
By way of background, I am one of twelve children raised on a dairy farm in Franklin who graduated from MVUHS. Being the fifth generation oldest son, farm duties took priority and I missed a lot of school, graduating with mostly agricultural courses completed. The following summer I became determined to become a lawyer which required a return to high school as a post- graduate student and completion of college preparatory courses. Thereafter, a University of Vermont Bachelor of Science degree was obtained after which a law degree was earned and a license to practice law was issued to me in 1984.
In 1981 after completing law school I returned to the family farm and purchased it intending to share it with one of my brothers while engaging in a practice of law. A recession in the dairy industry forced many farmers out of business in the 1980's and I was one of the casualties although 95 acres and the homestead was salvaged. This acreage continued as a smaller farm and I ran a beef and maple syrup operation while maintaining a very active and successful practice of law in St. Albans.
In 1998, then Governor Howard Dean appointed me as an alternate to the Vermont Environmental Board and for the next several years I travelled all over Vermont hearing Act 250 appeals as part of the 9 member board.
In 2006, after practicing law for 22 years, then Governor James Douglas appointed me to the Judiciary as a trial judge. I presided over cases in the counties of Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, Addison, Orleans and Lamoille for nearly 18 years until my retirement effective January 1,2024.
My business and economic experiences include owning and operating a dairy/beef farm, owning and operating a maple sugar operation, owning and operating the law firm Rainville & Associates, P, C. and co-owning two retail gift shops ( St. Albans and Essex Junction) in addition to buying and selling several parcels of real estate within the county.
In conclusion, Vermont, and especially Franklin County, are wonderful places to live and work and to raise a family. There is room for much improvement and I am asking for the opportunity to serve Franklin County and Alburg by putting my energy and experience to work for the voters in these communities.
Respectfully submitted,
Gregory Rainville
By way of background, I am one of twelve children raised on a dairy farm in Franklin who graduated from MVUHS. Being the fifth generation oldest son, farm duties took priority and I missed a lot of school, graduating with mostly agricultural courses completed. The following summer I became determined to become a lawyer which required a return to high school as a post- graduate student and completion of college preparatory courses. Thereafter, a University of Vermont Bachelor of Science degree was obtained after which a law degree was earned and a license to practice law was issued to me in 1984.
In 1981 after completing law school I returned to the family farm and purchased it intending to share it with one of my brothers while engaging in a practice of law. A recession in the dairy industry forced many farmers out of business in the 1980's and I was one of the casualties although 95 acres and the homestead was salvaged. This acreage continued as a smaller farm and I ran a beef and maple syrup operation while maintaining a very active and successful practice of law in St. Albans.
In 1998, then Governor Howard Dean appointed me as an alternate to the Vermont Environmental Board and for the next several years I travelled all over Vermont hearing Act 250 appeals as part of the 9 member board.
In 2006, after practicing law for 22 years, then Governor James Douglas appointed me to the Judiciary as a trial judge. I presided over cases in the counties of Franklin, Grand Isle, Chittenden, Addison, Orleans and Lamoille for nearly 18 years until my retirement effective January 1,2024.
My business and economic experiences include owning and operating a dairy/beef farm, owning and operating a maple sugar operation, owning and operating the law firm Rainville & Associates, P, C. and co-owning two retail gift shops ( St. Albans and Essex Junction) in addition to buying and selling several parcels of real estate within the county.
In conclusion, Vermont, and especially Franklin County, are wonderful places to live and work and to raise a family. There is room for much improvement and I am asking for the opportunity to serve Franklin County and Alburg by putting my energy and experience to work for the voters in these communities.
Respectfully submitted,
Gregory Rainville