By Guy Page
A Vermont Republican Party political ad set to go “live” this afternoon takes aim at Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate David Zuckerman’s treatment of his farm employees.
In the 30 second video, a young man tells the camera: “The pressure, the emotional pressure he put on employees. We felt as if we were letting the farm down if we didn’t keep our heads down while we were pulling weeds. Don’t look up. Can’t do any of that. Don’t take a bathroom break. Take a bathroom break later. In my opinion, that was wrong. Wrong to expect of your employees when you were not paying them very well.”
Zuckerman and his wife operate an organic fruit and vegetable farm in Hinesburg. This isn’t the first criticism of Zuckerman’s farming practices during the 2022 election. According to farmer, lawyer and Republican Orange County Senate candidate John Klar, Zuckerman in 2008 bought a $1,318,000 property for $379,000 and sold the development rights simultaneously for $500,000 of Land Trust funds – walking away with 151.08 acres of prime farmland plus $$121,000 in his pocket.
The ad reportedly will go live on YouTube and other social media platforms at about 2 pm today. Vermont Daily Chronicle has reached out to Zuckerman’s campaign for comment and will publish promptly when received.