by Guy Page

The list of Republican candidates running for county or state office continues to grow, with just one day left for candidates to file petitions with the Vermont Secretary of State or their local Town Clerks. The following GOP candidates have submitted petitions, according to filings updated through May 25.

Many candidates of all parties with August primaries prefer to wait until the “last minute” – which is the close of business today. A complete list of candidates of all parties will be published tomorrow.

Another incumbent has joined the list of those to seeking re-election, making the total count 43. Rep. Lucy Rogers, an under-thirty something Democrat, has served four years representing Cambridge, Waterville, and Belvidere.

She joins many young legislators of both parties who say they just can’t afford to serve in the Legislature and pay their bills. She offered the following explanation for her decision on the local Front Porch Forum.

“I support regular turnover in government and am pleased to be making space for a new voice – hopefully another young voice – to lead locally,” Rogers said. “I will also continue advocating for updates to Vermont’s legislative structure and compensation. While legislating, I had no staff or office space and worked extraordinarily long hours for very low pay. I bought my own health insurance and had no other benefits. No matter how strong the passion for service, this makes the legislature inaccessible to many Vermonters who are not retired or independently wealthy.

“As a young person, a renter, a working Vermonter, and a political newcomer, I was more the exception than the rule in Montpelier, and our legislative structure must change if we want to have a truly representative government,” Rogers said.

As of yesterday, only Republican Rebecca Pitre had filed papers to run for the Lamoille-3 House seat.