VT-GOV: Gov. Phil Scott (R) will seek re-election

[RandySF]

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is running for re-election. In a statement posted to social media Saturday night, he revealed that he’ll seek a fifth term this November.

He wrote in part, quote:

“For the most part, I believe Vermonters want balanced debate, balanced policy and balanced politics. …I cannot step away at a time when Vermont’s legislature is so far out of balance, so I’ve decided to run for reelection to keep working for you.”

The Republican had said publicly that he’d wait until the Vermont House and Senate adjourned the legislative session for the year to make his intentions known. He didn’t wait very long; lawmakers adjourned in the overnight hours of Saturday morning after passing their ‘yield bill’, the annual property tax bill to cover school district budgets.

The bill would raise the average education property tax bill by 13.8%. It would also create a committee tasked with recommending changes to education to reduce costs. The governor is widely expected to veto the bill, saying Vermonters can’t afford it.



https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/gov-phil-scott-will-seek-re-election/

[brooklynite]

1. SAFE-R as long as he's the candidate

[DFW]

2. So it would appear

I don't think Howard will jump in now that Scott has definitively declared, although last he told me, he hadn't made a decision one way or the other. This was a few weeks ago, so I should probably get back with him to see if this changes anything.

[Cha]

10. Yeah, why shouldn't Vermont have a Dem Gov?

[angrychair]

3. Not familiar with VT politics

I just learned about Vermont having an R Governor last year. I just always thought of Vermont as a very blue state. Apparently not.
I'm of the strict interpretation that there is no such thing as a good Republican.
Don't understand Vermont on this at all.

[Celerity]

4. Blue New England states often elect Rethug Governors.

Last edited Sun May 12, 2024, 12:20 PM - Edit history (1)

Starting with ones serving in the late 80s, early 90s to now:

Weld, Cellucci, Swift, Romney, Baker in MA

John Sununu, Gregg, Merrill, Benson, Chris Sununu in NH

Snelling, Douglas, Scott in VT

McKernan, LePage in ME

DiPrete, Almond, Carcieri, Chafee (Chafee was a longtime Rethug, briefly a Dem, now a Libertarian) in RI

Weicker, Rowland, Rell in CT

[angrychair]

5. That's a serious shortcoming

In the Dem Party in those New England states that they choose Republicans over Democrats.
Having Republican governors really hurts us nationally. Having Republican controlled legislatures is even worse. Just don't understand the mindset that leads to Republican control of the state in some misunderstanding of Republicans and ultimately any Republican governor is subservient to TSF in one way or another. He just has to tight a hold on Republican politics.

[karynnj]

6. VT, like MA, has legislatures that regularly can override vetoes

In addition, Phil Scott is not a Trump Republican. In 2020, he voted against him and this year endorsed Haley.

Since he became governor, he has not had a strong Democratic challenger.

[angrychair]

8. I don't know about that

Phil Scott is not a Trump Republican

All Republicans are trump Republicans, if they want to be or not. He controls the RNC and donors and as a Republican in a state wide office, you either dance to his tune or you don't dance at all.
I have a feeling that unless he endorses TSF that he will likely shut Scott out of the Republican nomination process for a candidate that is only loyal to TSF.
The RNC wants this cycle to be different and is demanding loyalty oaths from Republicans running for office. I've even heard that they have to pay the RNC for its endorsement.

[karynnj]

11. Phil Scott did not endorse him in 2020 and the nomination is his if he wants it

Trump could not stop him from getting the nomination because most of Vermont's Republicans are not Trumpian. Haley beat him Vermont. Yes, anyone can vote in either primary because there is no registration by party.

In fact, if Scott were defeated in the primary, the Democrats would very likely win the governorship, where Scott is highly favored.

[Celerity]

7. IF 80 or 90 per cent of all Republicans were like those listed (minus LePage) then there would have never been a

MAGA movement, no Trump, probably no Bush (the younger), and the worst of Reaganism would have been likely been blunted.

The country (and the world) would be in far better shape overall.

BUT that is not the case, and many of those Yankee and other regional moderate Republican types (both elected and voters) are now swept up in the tide of Trumpism and betrayal of bedrock American principles. This is often based upon personal safety fears, fears of the 'other', RW fundie religion, soft forms of racism (some overt ones too), and simple political survival, plus a selling out to pure greed.

It is a vile, potential nationally fatal stew.

[TSExile]

9. Exactly!!

It took me a long time to figure out that there is no such thing as a good Republican - like there is no such thing as a compassionate conservative. It's a total contradiction in terms.