India-Born Praneet Menon Wins Vermont House Seat in Orleans-Lamoille District
WASHINGTON–India-born Praneet Menon has been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives from the two-member Orleans-Lamoille district, securing a seat in the state legislature after campaigning on affordability, education, housing and rural economic development.
Menon received 1,992 votes in the November election, while incumbent Rep. Mark Higley of Lowell received 2,815 votes, according to election results published by FYIVT using data from the Vermont Secretary of State. An additional 43 votes were cast for write-in candidates.
Because the district elects two representatives, both Menon and Higley secured seats in the state House.
Both candidates appeared on the general election ballot with Republican and Democratic affiliations, listed as “Rep/Dem.” Menon initially entered the race as a Republican, according to Vermont Public’s primary election guide. His appearance under both party affiliations does not necessarily indicate that he changed parties.
Menon’s campaign focused on reducing household expenses, strengthening public schools, expanding housing opportunities and addressing workforce shortages in Vermont’s rural communities.
He called for greater oversight of property taxes, utility costs and other expenses affecting residents, while advocating policies aimed at expanding the local tax base and supporting economic development.
To strengthen employment opportunities, Menon proposed additional support for small businesses, vocational education, childcare services and broadband infrastructure.
His housing proposals included changes to permitting requirements and investments in infrastructure to encourage the development of more year-round housing.
On education, Menon emphasized improving classroom resources, preserving local control over school decisions and opposing unfunded mandates that place additional financial burdens on communities.
He also advocated expanding access to community healthcare, increasing the availability of telehealth services and improving mental health resources.
His campaign operated under the slogan “Responsible Stewardship. Practical Action.”
According to his campaign biography, Menon has a professional background in aviation, engineering and technology, including work on aviation and defense programs in the private sector involving contracts with the U.S. Air Force and Army.
He also became a certified flight instructor and established a small software business, according to his campaign website.
Born and raised in India, Menon immigrated to the United States at age 16. He studied aeronautical and mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York before earning a master’s degree from the University of Vermont.
Menon and his family relocated to Coventry, Vermont, during the COVID-19 pandemic after spending nearly a decade living elsewhere.
Since settling in the community, he has participated in local government and education initiatives, serving on the town’s planning commission and finance committee. He has also held leadership positions on local school and supervisory union boards.
His election adds another Indian American representative to state-level government, extending the community’s political presence into Vermont’s rural legislative districts. (Source: IANS)
