Aly Richards, 40, is the former CEO of Let's Grow Kids, a child care advocacy organization where she led a decade-long campaign that resulted in Vermont's landmark 2023 child care law. Richards grew up in Newbury and now lives in Montpelier with her husband James Pepper and identical twin sons (age 7). She earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University and worked on Barack Obama's first presidential campaign (2008) and in former Governor Peter Shumlin's administration as deputy chief of staff (2011-2015). She was appointed to the State Board of Education at age 15 while a student at Oxbow High School. Richards announced her gubernatorial campaign April 6, 2026, the second Democrat to enter the race.
Aly Richards was born and raised in Newbury, Vermont. She graduated from Oxbow High School in 2004 (where her father was an AP English and history teacher) and was appointed to the State Board of Education at age 15 while still a student. She earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University and worked on President Obama's first campaign (2008). She then served in Governor Peter Shumlin's administration as deputy chief of staff until 2015, working closely with the governor on affordability and workforce issues. From 2015-2025, she led Let's Grow Kids as CEO, where she successfully mobilized over 40,000 Vermonters (parents, educators, small business owners, healthcare providers) to pass the state's landmark 2023 child care law. She is chair of the UVM Medical Center Board. Richards lives in Montpelier with her husband, James Pepper, and their identical twin sons, Beau and Wesley (age 7). Her parents still live in her childhood home in Newbury, which she visits often.