Praneeth Menon, an Indian-origin candidate, has been elected to the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Lamoille district, running as the joint nominee of the Republican and Democratic parties.
The district elects two representatives. In the recent election, incumbent Rep. Mark Higley received 2,815 votes and Menon received 1,992. Under the rules, the top two vote-getters win, so both men were elected. Menon entered the race as a Republican candidate and later ran with the endorsement of both major parties.
Menon focused his campaign on local issues, including high costs facing rural families, resource shortages in schools, housing, health care, job creation and labor shortages. He called for closer oversight of property taxes and utility bills and argued for support for small businesses, vocational education and better broadband service. His campaign slogan was “responsible leadership, practical action.”
Born and raised in India, Menon moved to the United States at 16 to pursue higher education. He studied aeronautical and mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Vermont. He has worked in aviation and defense, including on projects for the US Air Force and Army, and has experience as a flight instructor and software entrepreneur. Locally, he has served on the planning commission and the town finance committee.