| Jan Backus | |
| Birth Date: | 30 July 1947 |
| Birth Place: | Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Education: | University of Vermont (BA) |
Jan Backus (born July 30, 1947) is a retired American politician who served as a Vermont state senator representing Windham County from 1989 to 1994 and Chittenden County from 1997 to 2000. A community activist, Backus served as a member of the Vermont Southeast Supervisory Union board for many years before making a run for the Vermont state Senate and winning a seat. She served as chairwoman of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
A moderate-to-liberal Democrat, Backus ran for the U.S. Senate in 1994 and beat Douglas M. Costle, Environmental Protection Agency administrator under President Jimmy Carter, for her party's nomination and came within 9 points of ousting incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords (R-VT).[1] In 2000, she ran again and lost the Democratic U.S. Senate primary to Ed Flanagan, then Vermont's Auditor of Accounts.[2] In 2004 Backus ran for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.[3]
Backus lives in Winooski, Vermont, with her husband Steve Blodgett (a former state senator). She currently serves as a member of Winooski's Downtown Revitalization Project to eliminate sprawl and attract jobs. She has three daughters, one of whom served as a high-ranking member of John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2004.
Backus competes annually in the National Crossword Championship. Her highest finish was 46th.