Rutland Forward, a political action committee (PAC) deeply involved in Rutland’s elections, continues to shape the city’s political landscape. However, newly surfaced financial records reveal unexpected discrepancies, raising further questions about the PAC’s funding sources and financial transparency.
A Mystery Balance: Where Did the Money Come From?
At the end of the 2024 election cycle, Rutland Forward reported a deficit of – $6,973.46. However, in its most recent 2026 General Election filing on February 17, 2025, it now lists a positive balance of $935.03, along with a single in-kind donation of $476.70. Publicly available filings do not show any monetary contributions or expenditures that explain this shift in balance.
Rutland Forward’s new treasurer, who recently took over the role, confirmed that she inherited the account with the $935.03 starting balance already in place. This raises important questions about how the PAC cleared its prior debt and where these funds came from.
Additionally, new records reveal an extra $9,788.00 in payments from Rutland Forward to Grassroots Analytics—a firm owned by major donor Dan Hogenkamp—which does not appear to be accounted for in the PAC’s contribution history.
Rutland Forward’s PAC Coordination Problem
A Pattern of PAC and Individual Donations in 2022
In 2022, campaign finance records show that Dan Hogenkamp personally donated $1,000 each to seven Rutland Forward-backed candidates—$120 below the individual donation limit of $1,120 at the time.
Around the same time, Hogenkamp also donated $4,210 to Rutland Forward, which was then distributed evenly as $571 payments to each of those same seven candidates two weeks later. This meant that each candidate ultimately received $1,571 total—through a combination of direct donations and PAC support. However, this amount would have exceeded the limit for an individual contribution alone.
Under Vermont law:
“When a political party or a PAC that recruits or endorses candidates conducts an activity that primarily benefits six or fewer candidates associated with the party or PAC, the law will presume that the expenditure is related and count it as a contribution.”
—Vermont 2021-2022 Campaign Finance Guide
Rutland Forward’s 2022 filings show financial support for seven candidates—one more than the threshold where PAC expenditures are presumed to be coordinated under Vermont law. While this does not prove coordination, it raises valid questions about how this spending aligns with campaign finance rules.
The timeline:
- Seven separate $1,000 individual donations to the following Rutland Forward-backed candidates:
- Courtney Collins
- Sara Doenges (wife of Mike Doenges)
- Marissa Kiefaber
- Marybeth Lennox-Levins
- Anna Tadio
- Michael Talbott
- Matt Whitcomb
Two weeks later, Rutland Forward distributed $571 to each of these same seven candidates from its PAC funds.
But here’s where it gets concerning:
🔹 Hogenkamp’s $4,210 accounted for 82% of Rutland Forward’s PAC funds.
🔹 The PAC distributed funds exclusively to candidates Hogenkamp had already donated $1,000 to.
🔹 This allowed each candidate to receive an additional $571 while keeping Hogenkamp’s name off the second donation.
RF-Backed Candidate Alex Adams Speaks Out
Rutland Forward-backed candidate Alex Adams openly described how the organization functioned in a recent Facebook post:
“It’s just people, Chris. It’s 10 or so people who know each other, and in the months leading up to elections in Rutland, they meet regularly to discuss and strategize how to get elected. That’s it. They talk about ways to fundraise and reach voters. There is a local guy who has gone on to do political work in DC, but still has a house in Rutland. He funds the flyers that you see in the mail as an in-kind donation. All perfectly within the rules.”
Based on available information, it appears that the ‘local guy’ Adams referred to is Dan Hogenkamp.
Adams further stated that Rutland Forward helped candidates plan their election timelines, organize fundraising, and execute voter outreach strategies.
This is a serious issue because PACs are legally required to operate independently of candidates. If Rutland Forward played a direct role in campaign operations—beyond the legal boundaries of an independent PAC—it raises questions about compliance with campaign finance laws.
Did Rutland Forward function as an independent PAC—or as an entity that coordinated with candidates beyond what is typically expected from a PAC?
Hogenkamp, Grassroots Analytics, and PAC Money Flows
Hogenkamp, the CEO of political consulting firm Grassroots Analytics, has played a dual role in Vermont elections:
1️⃣ As a major donor to Rutland Forward and Vermont Conservation Voters Action Fund.
2️⃣ As a paid service provider for both PACs, recording over $37,000 in payments for services including fundraising and voter targeting, according to the Secretary of State’s database.
In 2024, Hogenkamp was Rutland Forward’s only recorded donor, giving $4,000. The PAC then spent nearly $11,000, with $9,000 going to Grassroots Analytics. However, new 2025 filings reveal an additional $9,788 in payments to Grassroots Analytics, not accounted for by contributions.
Similarly, in 2024, Hogenkamp donated $16,000 to the Vermont Conservation Voters Action Fund, which then spent $18,000 on services from Grassroots Analytics..
The Doenges Factor: A Missing Campaign Finance Record
One notable absence in these financial disclosures is Mike Doenges, Rutland’s current mayor and a key figure in Rutland Forward’s political network.
In 2021, Doenges ran for Alderman, created a campaign finance account—but never reported any donations or expenditures.
In 2023, Doenges ran for mayor, but no campaign finance reports were initially available. After being contacted by FYIVT, he provided financial records, which are currently under review by the Vermont Secretary of State’s office. [UPDATE: On 2/20/2025 the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance office found the missing records and added them to their new database.]
While Doenges has stated that his reports were filed under the old campaign finance system, the Secretary of State has not been able to confirm or deny the validity of these filings. There is no indication that Doenges failed to comply with campaign finance laws; rather, the missing filings appear to be a database issue.
The big question:
If Hogenkamp and Rutland Forward collectively contributed nearly $11,000 to seven alderman and school board candidates at the beginning of 2022, why do campaign finance records show no documented financial support for Doenges’s mayoral campaign later that year—a race of greater political significance?
In fairness, we also reviewed former Mayor David Allaire’s 2023 campaign finance information and were able to find listed donations and expenditures.
Where This Investigation Stands
Key Findings So Far:
✅ Rutland Forward ended 2024 with -$6,973.46 but now reports a positive balance of $935.03—with no publicly documented contributions to explain the shift.
✅ Dan Hogenkamp made significant donations to multiple PACs, which then spent heavily on his business.
✅ 2022 records show a donation pattern in which candidates received specific amounts through a combination of direct and PAC contributions, staying within legal limits but raising questions about the structuring.
✅ Rutland Forward has now spent over $18,000 on Grassroots Analytics, despite lacking contribution records to cover these expenses.
✅ Doenges provided four PDFs of his 2023 campaign finance reports, but they are not reflected in the publicly available Vermont Campaign Finance database.
What Comes Next?
FYIVT has spoken with the Vermont Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Division and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office regarding these findings.
All information in this report comes directly from publicly available campaign finance records, official filings with the Vermont Secretary of State, and statements from involved parties. As of publication, we have not received follow-ups to our inquiries. We will continue seeking clarification and accountability on these financial discrepancies.
Transparency Matters. The Public Deserves Answers.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
You can find FYIVT on YouTube | X(Twitter) | Facebook | Parler (@fyivt) | Gab | Instagram
#fyivt #RutlandVT #CampaignFinance #Transparency #RutlandForward
Support Us for as Little as $5 – Get In The Fight!!
Make a Big Impact with $25/month—Become a Premium Supporter!
Join the Top Tier of Supporters with $50/month—Become a SUPER Supporter!
Leave a Reply