Disruption, Innovation, and the Politics of Change with BraDley Tusk
By Shirenomics Staff
In a crowded Vermont conference room, Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist, political strategist, and serial disruptor, captivated his audience with an unvarnished message: change doesn’t happen by chance—it demands action, conflict, and persistence. Over the course of his keynote at the Vermont Chamber’s Vermont Economic Conference, Tusk laid out a framework for how states like Vermont, with its small size and community-driven ethos, can become powerful incubators of innovative solutions to national challenges like housing, technology regulation, and voter engagement.
Disruption as a Way of Life
Tusk’s career has been defined by a willingness to upset the status quo. From managing Michael Bloomberg’s campaign for New York City mayor to serving as Uber’s first political strategist, his work has consistently straddled the intersection of politics, policy, and innovation. But as he told the audience, disruption is rarely met with open arms. "If you want to really make change, you’ve got to be comfortable with conflict," Tusk emphasized. "The status quo will always prefer things the way they are."
This principle guided his landmark work with Uber, where he led campaigns to legalize ride-sharing across the U.S., often battling entrenched taxi lobbies and outdated regulations. It also informs his venture capital fund, Tusk Venture Partners, which specializes in supporting startups in highly regulated industries. For Tusk, breaking through bureaucratic inertia is more than a professional mission—it’s a personal philosophy.
Housing: Vermont as a Testing Ground
Turning his attention to Vermont’s challenges, Tusk framed the state’s housing crisis as emblematic of broader national issues. “The American Dream is literally supposed to be based on the ability to buy a home,” he said. Yet regulatory barriers, labor shortages, and local opposition to development have rendered this dream increasingly out of reach.
Tusk urged Vermont to "upset the apple cart," calling for a re-evaluation of environmental review processes, labor restrictions, and community veto power over affordable housing projects. "This is a state that prides itself on being environmentally friendly, and that’s great," he said. "But there’s a point where environmental review does more harm than good." He cited the paradox of liberal communities across the country blocking affordable housing while espousing values of inclusivity. “How much do you care about people with darker skin if you won’t actually let them live in your neighborhood?” he asked pointedly.
Tusk’s message was clear: Vermont’s small size and cohesive communities position it to lead on housing innovation. But leadership requires uncomfortable decisions and a willingness to confront entrenched interests, even within the state’s progressive base.
AI and the Opportunity for Policy Leadership
Pivoting to artificial intelligence, Tusk argued that Vermont could seize a unique opportunity to shape the future of this transformative technology. With AI demanding vast energy resources, Tusk suggested Vermont explore policies to attract data centers, potentially powered by hydroelectric energy or even reconsidering nuclear options.
But beyond the economics, Tusk stressed the importance of proactive regulation. "The public needs to have some level of confidence that someone’s in charge," he said, warning against a repeat of the regulatory failures that enabled the harms of social media. “Let’s not condemn millions of kids to misery again.” Vermont, he argued, could craft a model framework for AI regulation that balances innovation with harm prevention.
Mobile Voting: A Blueprint for Democratic Renewal
Tusk’s most ambitious initiative, however, is mobile voting. His Mobile Voting Project aims to allow voters to cast ballots via their smartphones, reducing barriers to participation and countering the polarization he sees as the root of America’s political dysfunction.
"Every policy output is the result of a political input," Tusk explained. With primary elections often decided by turnout as low as 10%, special interests dominate the political agenda. By making voting as simple as pressing a button, Tusk believes turnout can increase enough to align political incentives with the interests of the broader public.
His team has already piloted mobile voting in seven states for military personnel and voters with disabilities, with plans to expand the technology to municipal elections. The ultimate goal? To break the stranglehold of ideological extremes and restore democracy to the center. "If turnout in a primary goes from 12% to 35%, it completely changes the political calculus," Tusk said.
A Philosophy of Action
Underlying all of Tusk’s endeavors is a simple but powerful philosophy: "You’ve got to do stuff." Whether it’s giving Dunkin’ gift cards to homeless individuals in Manhattan or investing millions in mobile voting technology, Tusk’s approach is rooted in action over excuses. "It’s so easy to sit on your hands, but it’s also so easy to act," he said.
Tusk’s reflections on happiness and fulfillment echoed his pragmatic idealism. Drawing from the Harvard Grant Study, he emphasized that relationships and purpose—not wealth or status—are the true drivers of happiness. For Tusk, his work on hunger, voting rights, and social equity isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about living a meaningful life.
Vermont as a Catalyst for Bold Change
As he concluded his remarks, Tusk challenged Vermonters to embrace their state’s potential as a "testing ground for solutions" that could scale nationally. Citing Vermont’s pioneering work on universal school meals, he underscored the state’s ability to punch above its weight in policy innovation.
"Change doesn’t happen by accident," Tusk reminded the audience. "It happens when you force it." For a state facing daunting challenges, his message was both a provocation and an invitation: the path to progress is bold, disruptive, and, ultimately, worth it.
