Despite political differences, descendents of longtime lawmaker, prosecutor ‘intend to keep the race cordial”
By Sam Douglass
In the Orange-Caledonia House district, an unusual contest may end up pitting two members of the same family against each other, but on opposite sides of the political aisle. Despite their differences, they each intend to keep the race cordial.
The race for the seat will see Aiden Otterman (D) seeking his party’s nomination in a primary against James Merriam (D), with Tom Otterman (R) running unopposed in the Republican primary. Describing it as a coincidence, Tom said he did not enter the race in response to Aiden’s candidacy. Tom is Aiden Otterman’s great-uncle.
Both candidates are running on campaign platforms centered around affordability and the state’s ongoing housing crisis. For Aiden, this could look like easing small business regulations, combatting healthcare monopolies, building more homes, tackling short-term rentals/vacancies, and investing in our rural communities. Tom doesn’t have a written platform or website yet, but he plans to launch it in the coming weeks.
The Otterman name is well known in the area and it makes sense that the two would turn to public service. Tom and Aiden are the son and great-grandson of former Rep. Harvey “Bud” Otterman, a retired Navy pilot, longtime attorney, Orange County state’s attorney, and legislator who was widely respected in both the Legislature and the community.
“My great grandfather was an upright man with a real love for his community,” wrote Aiden. “And even though I wouldn’t have agreed with his policies at the time, I still believe he did a good job fighting for our district’s best interests.”
Tom told VDC in an interview last week that he decided to run after seeing that the seat (now occupied by was unchallenged. He said he believes voters should have a choice and that conservative viewpoints deserve representation on the ballot.
“I saw that the seat was unchallenged and felt there should be conservative voices for people to vote for,” he said. “I believe I have a lot to offer.”
For Aiden however, the elder Otterman’s candidacy came as a surprise. In an email, Aiden wrote that he told his great-uncle of his plans to run for the seat in January of this year, but the family only heard about Tom running recently.
“From what I know, none of the family knew of his candidacy until we heard rumors last week,” wrote Aiden.
Aiden Otterman graduated from Thetford Academy earlier this year and decided to enter into politics. As a student, Aiden took part in the Governor’s Institute for Global Issues & Youth Action, the Vermont State Youth Council, and the Yale Young Global Scholars program. He was elected Council Chair of the Vermont State Youth Council in September, 2025.
If elected, Aiden intends to continue his youth advocacy. “One [of] our biggest problems is that our young people won’t stay. We graduate, go to college/tech school, and only look back when we want to buy a second home in our older years. Not only do we leave it behind, but we take our skills and experiences with us as well,” he wrote on his website.
Tom Otterman has served on the local selectboard for 15 years and spent 22 years operating his own surveying and septic design company. He recently retired and turned the business over to his son. Reflecting on his father’s service, he remembers a time when Democrats and Republicans worked together effectively and didn’t attack each other as much, and he believes that the past years of a one-party majority have contributed to today’s political polarization.
“Calmness and cooperation go a long way,” he said. “That’s how my father did it.”
In his email, Aiden expressed a similar sentiment as he believes that the biggest problem with modern political discourse is the lack of decency among candidates.
Despite facing a relative in the election cycle, Tom said there is no animosity between the two candidates.
“It’s amicable,” he said. “I don’t begrudge his campaign, and I hope he doesn’t begrudge mine.”
After the August Primary, the Democratic and Republican candidates may face two Independent candidates in the November election. Susan Culp has announced her intention to run for the seat as an independent. Incumbent Rep. Joseph Parsons switched his party status from Republican to Independent in 2025, but could not be reached for comment on whether he plans to run. Independent candidates have until August 3 to file their candidacy with the Secretary of State, and so far neither Culp or Parsons has filed.
The post Two Ottermans run for same House seat first appeared on Vermont Daily Chronicle.
The post Two Ottermans run for same House seat appeared first on Vermont Daily Chronicle.
