Jim Dandeneau, the executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, in his office in Montpelier on Feb. 22, 2024. Photo by Natalie Williams/VTDiggerThe executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party, Jim Danendeau, is stepping down next month.He wrote in a social media post announcing his departure Saturday that he learned as a Boy Scout to “Leave the place better than you found it.” During his time leading the party, he continued, “I take a lot of pride knowing that this is the case.”In a Monday interview, Dandeneau highlighted the party’s stability and the strength of its staff and recruits as a sign of a strong future.But the present moment for the Democrats is bleaker than it has been in years. Dandeneau’s decision arrives on the heels of a rough election for Vermont’s Democrats. They lost more seats in the state Legislature than anywhere else in the country and supermajorities in both the House and Senate. He took on the leadership role with the state’s party two and half years ago, a period in which both House and Senate Democrats had sizable majorities. But Dandeneau said his decision did not stem from November’s election results.“It made it a little bit tougher for me to step away because I didn’t want to feel like I was leaving on a down note,” he said. The position — the party’s top staff role — reports to the elected party chair and leadership committees, leading the implementation of campaign strategy. Dandeneau said he believed he’s been the longest-serving executive director Vermont Democrats have had in about a decade. Prior to Dandeneau’s arrival, the party had been beleaguered by staff turnover and turmoil.“This is a job that kind of chews people up and spits people out,” he said. “It’s time.” Asked about his future, Dandeneau wouldn’t share specifics, but he indicated he would remain a familiar face, saying he is “absolutely staying involved in politics, absolutely staying involved locally, but I may not be being paid to do Vermont work.”Read the story on VTDigger here: After tough election cycle, leader of Vermont Democratic Party to step down.