Peter Brownell

Peter C. Brownell (born 1948) is an American politician who served as the 39th Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. Prior to his tenure as mayor he was active in local politics with him serving on the school board and the city council. After his tenure as mayor he served in the Vermont Senate. He is the most recent Republican elected as mayor of Burlington.

Brownell was born in New York City, and was educated at Choate Rosemary Hall, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Vermont. After serving in the United States Air Force he moved to Burlington, Vermont, where he would enter politics. He was elected to the city's school board in 1983, and again in 1986. Brownell was elected to the city council in a 1989 special election and reelected in the 1990 and 1992 elections.

Brownell ran in the 1993 Burlington mayoral election against incumbent Progressive Coalition Mayor Peter Clavelle despite Clavelle's fundraising and campaign volunteer advantage. His victory was the first time a Republican held the mayoralty since Edward A. Keenan in 1965. Brownell lost reelection to Clavelle in 1995. He was elected to the state senate in the 1996 election and reelected in 1998, but lost renomination in 2000 due to his support for same-sex civil unions. Provided by Wikipedia