Successive terms worked on Rutland issues: Saving the Amtrak Ethan Allen working to secure grants while serving on House Transportation Committee to build Western Rail Corridor, New Dorr & Ripley bridges, NEW senior housing in renovated historic Watkins School, sponsored John Deere historic birthplace sign and sponsoring numerous other historic state markers signifying Rutland & Vermont Rail history around the state.
Since retiring from American Airlines in 2004, he has worked for the CRDA Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City, followed by South Jersey Transportation Authority, then after moving to Vermont at the historic Equinox Hotel in Manchester, Vermont and as a 'Passenger Conductor' on the Green Mountain Railroad.
The incumbent state representative, Democrat Steven Howard was vacating the seat to run for Lieutenant Governor.
In the Democratic primary election held on August 24, Russell defeated Daniel P. White by 165 votes to 60.
[5] He is one of six openly gay members of the Vermont Legislature, alongside representatives Bill Lippert (D–Hinesburg), Matt Trieber (D–Bellows Falls) and Joanna E. Cole (D–Burlington), as well as senators Brian Campion (D–Bennington) and Becca Balint (D–Windham).