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Still supports what Scott trying to accomplish in Vermont
By Guy Page
State Sen. Sam Douglass yesterday announced he will resign from the Senate following this week’s publication in a national news story of a statement he made on a Young Republican chat on Telegram.
In an October 14 article by Politico, Douglass said in reference to a chat about an obese Indian girlfriend of one of the other YR participants, ‘she just didn’t bathe often.’ The comment was included with many other explicitly anti-semitic and bigoted statements made by other participants in the chat.
Gov. Phil Scott, GOP leaders in the legislature, several other legislators, the GOP Executive Committee including Chair Paul Dame, and the new leader of the Vermont Republicans all called for Douglass to resign. Other Republicans, including former lieutenant governor candidate Meg Hansen and former state senate candidate Paul Bean, said they hope he will stay in office.
For his part, Douglass apologized to his constituents, insisted the comment was about the individual and not an ethnic generalization, and promised a decision later in the week.
His decision, when it came Friday afternoon, cited his need to protect his family from threatening words and behavior. The statement appears in full below:
With this statement, I am seeking to explain more of the situation from earlier this week. As I stated in my initial statement, the comment attributed to me, was an unflattering remark about a specific individual, absolutely not a generalization. This was the context I provided in my initial statement. I love my state, my people, and I am deeply sorry for the offense this caused and that our state was dragged into this. The contents of the article do not reflect me or the values of our state.
For those that hadn’t seen, I spent the last three weeks touring Recovery Residences across the state, top to bottom, to highlight my substance abuse recovery bill. When this story broke, I was at a tour stop giving a speech about recovery and addicted Vermonters. About how we shouldn’t judge people because we don’t know their whole story, that so many people are marginalized in society, that the stigma that drug users face is based on ignorance, that trauma affects the outcome of your life, and that everyone deserves a second chance.
We just had a baby. Our first. We struggled with fertility for years and we were lucky. I was on paternity leave as of last week and I was just returning to legislative work when this story broke. So, we’re still trying to put our house back together and catch up on sleep. Yet, I have received some of the most horrific hate one could imagine. Between calling my wife a “wh*re” and others including phrases like, “we wiped you nazi trash out once and we will again you doublechin, no jawlined incel f*ckface”, “Your baby would be better off dead”, “I hope your baby gets r*ped”, “This world is better off without you.”, and “You’re wife is a fat ugly pig and needs to be muzzled like a dog.” Many of these were made by Vermonters. We’ve even heard about an online petition circling to have our baby taken away from us. Just today we were sent nasty items in the mail.
Even though I represent a Conservative Republican district, I never wanted to alienate anyone no matter their party, much to the consternation of fellow Republicans. I vowed I would serve in a moderate fashion, like my predecessor, and ensure that everyone’s voices were heard. In my first session, I had a landmark agriculture bill passed in my first year, which was the first bill that I ever introduced. I began the work to reform our welfare system to reward struggling families for working more and to ensure that they wouldn’t lose all their benefits and fall off the cliff for trying to work more hours. And I pushed back against legislators who overly downplayed environmental issues.
But for all concerned, me, my wife, my family, I must resign (effective Monday at noon). I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe. And if my Governor asks me to do something, I will act, because I believe in what he’s trying to do for the state of Vermont.
I will continue to do what I have done my entire life, the very reasons why I was elected; I will help others in my community, be active, foster communication, and look out for others. But regardless, the most important part is the effect—that offense was taken and people were hurt, so I will mend bridges to the best of my ability. Since the story broke, I have reached out to the majority of my Jewish and BIPOC friends and colleagues to ensure that they can be honest and upfront with me, and I know that as a young person I have a duty to set a good example for others.
Since I ran for public office, I’ve been criticized as being too young or inexperienced, but to all young people I say, don’t give up your dreams and don’t let people tell you to wait your turn, because maybe we have something to teach them.
I do want to thank the outpouring of supportive messages and emails from constituents and people across the state, and from legislators on both sides of the aisle. Your support of my family will stay with me. I also want to thank those who wanted to hear my side of the story and spoke to me first.
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Categories: politics
May God Bless you and protect you and your loved ones good man Sam.
Wow, It gets more telling every day. Comment from Richard Day.
Thanks for your service to this state. Don’t give up on your dreams.
If Dems can’t remove GOP officials by means of publicity, they will resort to threats of violence. At times threats of extreme violence, murder of opponent and their family as in Virginia Attorney General campaign
As mentioned in the [roper-sanders-and-welch-votes-to-keep-the-government-closed-threaten-food-and-heat-benefits/] article by AZjim; “Samuel Douglass says he will resign. Will phil scott demand the 2 wearing the is he dead yet tee shrts resign too?’
A valid point indeed. Vermont State Senators Rebecca White and Joe Major, both Democrats representing Windsor County, were photographed posing with an unidentified man wearing an “Is He Dead Yet?” T-shirt at the Labor Day parade in Chester on September 1, 2025.
For those not in the know, the “Is He Dead Yet?’ tee shirt is a reference to assassination attempts on President Trump’s life. And while it’s not a racist or ethnic slur, it rises to a level of behavior equally reprehensible.
If we’re willing to hold Sam Douglass accountable for participating in a chat group riddled with racist and ethnic slurs, having one’s picture taken at a public event with someone wearing a tee shirt advocating the assassination of anyone, while knowing full-well the photo would be published (if not anticipating that it be published), is similarly reprehensible. These representatives too should apologize AND resign.
If it’s time to clean house – let’s do it. Governor Scott, Paul Dame; it’s time for you to step up to the plate. If your assessment of Sam Douglass’s activities rose to the level of recommended resignation, as did mine, join with me now and call for the apology and resignations of Vermont State Senators Rebecca White and Joe Major, and any other politician who dares to assert the false pretense of self-righteous indignation.
In fact, gentlemen, if you don’t hold others with similar offenses to the same standard, you should both apologize and resign.
now you know it’s do onto thee but not me sir.
Not really, Marcel. All swords have two edges. Knowing how to wield them is the key.
Jay, if you are roman, you make the rules, different set of rules for non-romans.
You can substitute roman for marxists, uniparty……pigs from animal farm.
Anybody with friends who were on the left and left the cult, knows full well what happens, you can just feel the love that Mr. Douglass was experiencing from fellow Vermonters.
That is not how team uniparty plays, I think you are mistaking this for a republic, to which, sad to announce, we’ve been subverted.
People watch way too much survivor, voting people off the island. That is not how society survives, it’s who society collapse, but everyone, keep watching the programming, it’s almost complete, we’ve almost brought the collapse upon ourselves.
What J. Jay Eshelman said x’s a 1000
To the 16 people who liked H. Jay Eshelman’s comment, just know he led the attack on this site against Sam Douglass and his wife since day one. He thinks a 20-something woman’s private chat is so “hurtful” he wanted her and her husband publicly destroyed, even they’ve got a newborn at home. All over 1 comment that was leaked by blackmail. His personal offense matters more than three people’s actual lives.
Now he’s calling for Rebecca White, Joe Major, Paul Dame, and Phil Scott to resign. We all know that’ll never happen. It costs nothing other than make him look “fair and balanced.” Don’t be fooled.
Old Commiecrats never resign, they just fade away.
This is so sad. What have we become as a society?
Mr. Douglass: in as much as you wanted to help this state by running for office, and becoming a senator, you have now witnessed the other side. They always need a sacrifice.
I demand Rebecca White and Joe Major resign immediately for inciting violence . Governor Scott will you call for their resignation ? Vermont Digger will you publish an unbiased story as to why they have. it been asked to resign ?
Phony Phil Scott will protect the liberal leftist Dems, just like he voted for the leftist. Remember he voted for Biden Remember?? God only knows how many other Democrats this so-called Republican
Governor scott supported $$$ and voted for in the past?????🤯 🤡 🥸 😎???
Beyond disgusting to say the least,don’t you think 🤔
Vermont in the toilet!!
“I have reached out to the majority of my Jewish and BIPOC friends and colleagues to ensure that they can be honest and upfront with me, and I know that as a young person I have a duty to set a good example for others.”
When one prominent Vermont Senator told people to get an extra blanket – they chortled and snorted like fat aristocrats. Don’t expect cultist fools, idolaters, and adulterers to be honest or transparent to help you – expect them to serve themselves, project, deflect and reject.
If one must capitulate to placate the emotional weaknesses of others, we, as a species, are doomed. As a young person, be strong and be couragous when slings and arrows are shot your way from all directions. Chances are those shooting at you are living in glass, cracked, destablized houses. Know them by their fruits. Unfortunately, the mob-group think fraud squads keep stirring the pots and cauldrens – it is October – it is their month to shine, kill, steal, and destroy.
Man…has the left ever got the whole state cowed, the threats against he and his family are criminal, and should be followed up on ,and the people making these threats should be charged and brought to justice.
He can not control what others say in this group, who knows ,it could have been planted dem operatives. masquerading as Republicans, saying this bad stuff, to make the GOP look bad, and take down this Sen. It is very possible, but it was like he rustled livestock, caught and hung without a trial, in my book.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven, in my book.
Action and then programed reaction works every time in a mind control operation. The question is, who is running the operation???? Remember, the number 33. Comment from Richard Day.
We all seem to forget that the web is a fantasy land where anyone can be someone else. This is as close as I get to social media
Can someone explain how the very individuals demanding his resignation are also permitting others to target Sam and his family? The Vermont GOP has made a grave error by attacking a promising young man who has the potential to bring a conservative shift to the state. Personally, I feel that my days as a Republican in Vermont are numbered; I’ll likely register as an independent once Trump leaves office or until I observe stronger leadership in our state.
One very easy explanation seen on this Nation’s stage, today, Democrats can do no wrong
Vermont is a very sad place.
The bottom line is, Vermont is a cess-pool of phonys 🥸 🤡 🤯 Hello!!!!
I am so tired of the holier than though attitude that people in this state possess. I am also very tired of Phil Scott who has; by his silence, done more damage to the conservative movement in this state than Bernie or Becca. Having been at the business end of that kind of language I understand better than most the damage it does. I am sorry for Brianna and Sam. Hope all is well, but to the people who made those comments
I say judgement is swift.
Sorry Sam. If the Govie asked me to do something and was not in my interest or would damage other people I will make my own judgement based on facts. Comment from Richard Day. This entire Vermont Government is a con job run by crooks.
Violence in never the answer, this is not the Vermont Way. I may not agree with Sam, but draw the line with violence toward ANY of our elected officials.
I have come away with this with a good deal of respect for Sam Douglass. He after some consideration, admitted his mistake and took responsibility, reached out to those he had harmed with his posts this year and accepted that there are consequences for his actions.
I wish he and his wife well in the start of their new family. I also hope that he does not totally give up on politics and it appears he has a lot to offer and this mistake, like all the mistakes we make, can make us better people if we learn from them.
This incident also puts the ethics ball into the Demorcart and Progressive court in Vermont. Elected and party officials need to be held accountable for their words. While they cannont control what others say or wear, they have a responsibility, especially now in a time of deep distrust and division to set a better example with their own words and actions. I find this most true in the way they continue to try to smear Governor Scott in every possible way, rather than focusing on his actual record, actions and proposals.
The nasty bumper sticker about Phil Scott on my mailbox will stay and we will see how he handles the headwinds coming his way this winter if the clowns in Washington keep this government shut down. Comment from Richard Day.
Okay, I’ve gotta ask what your nasty bumper sticker says… LOL
In defense of not bathing we are in a drought/water restrictions
Such a toxic environment in Vermont politics. And YES Vermont RINO Republicans had a hand in this also. Prominent Republicans who saw a chance at a power grab. Now you can put your puppet in place,
I support you Sam.
So sorry for your pain. I wish youd have stayed, but I understand. What a double standard.
You openly speculated that a woman with dark skin in fact was that color because she hadn’t properly bathed, Oh not, not a generalization at all! And there’s no mention that those “threats”were reported to the police. Since you weren’t honest in your attrubution of a non-generalization, it would be my expectation that you didn’t tell the truth about them either.
His Comment certainly didn’t apply that. For whom are you trolling, or should I say “shilling”, Mr. Searles?
Filing a false police report is a crime and I hope all this information was filed with the Sheriffs office. Comment from Richard Day.
So if he had been a Democrat I’m sure the Republicans wouldn’t be doing exactly the same thing?? C’mon
In SANE times, Mr. Douglass’s Comment would be dismissed as awkward small talk. Casual apology, no offense meant or taken.
I’m sure our Attorney General is hard at work trying to find out who threatened Sam Douglas and his family. Since when does making an untoward comment make it ok to threaten a family with physical violence. This is commonplace with Communists. From the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 to Sam Douglas in 2025.
Still no comment from his anti-semite wife?