By Guy Page

A Londonderry man this morning withdrew his name from the race for State Treasurer following weekend news reports about his citation for driving under the influence. 

Kevin Divney, a finance expert and fund manager, emailed Vermont Daily Chronicle shortly after 11 AM this morning: “I have removed my name from the Ballot for Office of Treasurer this morning. I will have no further comments.”

On May 11, at the Vermont State Police issued a press release: “Vermont State Police responded [at 3:40 AM on May 11] to a one car motor vehicle crash in the area of Route 11 and Landgrove Hollow Road in the Town of Landgrove. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Kevin M. Divney. Divney showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for DUI. Divney was processed at the Winhall Police Department and was subsequently issued a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court Bennington Criminal Division on 05/23/2022 at 0815 hours.”

This press release went under the media radar screen (as most non-fatal DUIs do) until Divney, a Republican, declared his candidacy for State Treasurer last Thursday. The news was received and publicized with enthusiasm by state party officials, who saw in Divney a strong candidate to seize the treasurer post from Democratic control. 

Then on May 27 – just hours after he announced his candidacy, thus becoming a ‘public figure’ subject to closer scrutiny than the average citizen – Seven Days published a news story headlined “Vermont GOP State Treasurer Candidate Was Recently Charged with DUI.” 

Divney declined to discuss the specifics about the DUI arrest with Seven Days, except to say that his 40-year driving record is clean otherwise. A scheduled phone call today with Vermont Daily Chronicle was not picked up by Divney, who explained in an email moments later he had been on another call. He then made the statement, above, about removing his name from the ballot.

VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame this afternoon issued the following statement:
“Earlier today Kevin Divney contacted me to let me know that he has asked to remove his name from the ballot in the race for Treasurer for the August Primary. He stressed to me that he sincerely appreciated all the support and help to get his name on the ballot and it was a heartbreaking decision for him to disappoint those who helped get him there. While Kevin’s background in financial services would have made him a strong candidate for Treasurer, we respect his personal decision to withdraw from the race. We wish him and his family the best. Vermont Law gives the State Party until a few days after the August Primary to recruit and appoint a suitable candidate to the ballot if needed. I am committed to continue the process of recruiting strong Republican candidates for every available seat, both at the statewide and local levels.”

Divney’s departure leaves each party with one candidate: Mike Pieciak (Democrat), Don Schramm (Progressive), and Brooke Paige (Republican).