By Guy Page
The sole Republican in the race for Montpelier’s two House seats quoted a Democrat president opposing mailed-in ballots.
“Mail in absentee ballots remains the largest force for voter fraud,” Gene Leon of Montpelier quoted Pres. Jimmy Carter during the October 5 debate produced by ORCA public access television and available on YouTube.
Apart from the fraud potential, mailing every voter a ballot more than a month before the election makes it hard for relatively unknown candidates – like Leon – to make their case to voters, he said.
“Early voting being held before debates such as this is very fair, and it’s not inclusive,” Leon said. “It favors incumbents and insiders, and limits the ability of newcomers to get the word out.”
Leon, a businessman and property manager who has started two recycling initiatives in and around Montpelier, is the lone Republican seeking a win in the two-seat race. Both incumbents (Democrats Mary Hooper and the recently deceased Warren Kitzmiller) announced this spring they would not be seeking re-election. Leon is running against independent Donna Bate, Democrats Connor Casey and Kate McCann, and Progressive Glennie Sewell.
Leon also recommends converting unused or underused state buildings into housing to reduce Vermont’s housing shortage.
When the candidates were asked about promoting diversity and fighting discrimination, Leon criticized squelching of free speech and political differences.
“Discouraging and prohibition difference of opinion and political dissent is another form of discrimination, and is causing a great deal of division in our country right now,” the descendent of emigres from Fidel Castro’s Cuba said. “What makes our country unique is our diversity. And what makes our country united is the inclusivity that is already in the melting pot that is the United States.”
“We do need to continue equal opportunity and practice positive, ethical fairness in our state,” he added.
He also said more energy diversity can reduce the current high costs of energy.
Fellow candidate Connor Casey, a Montpelier City Councilor, praised Leon for successfully advocating for the reduction of the speed limit on Berlin Street.