Former Gov. Douglas, Lt. Gov. Dubie guests of honor July 21
by Guy Page
As recently as 2005, Vermont had a GOP governor, lieutenant governor, and GOP House majority. On Thursday, July 21, Vermont Republicans will gather in South Burlington to socialize, meet old friends, and remember – and work towards – an ascendant GOP.
The GOP fundraiser barbecue will be held on Pinnacle Drive in South Burlington 5:30-8:30 pm. For tickets, Tickets are $25 with donor options available.
In 2022, it’s hard to remember when Republicans actually had the political ascendancy, however fleeting. Today Republicans hold only one of the three key positions of governor/lt. governor/Speaker of the House. Gov. Phil Scott’s status as a “real” Republican is challenged by some conservatives within the Grand Old Party. But on Thursday, July 21, Republicans new and old from all over Vermont will gather for a barbecue with the governor-lt. governor team that served Vermont from 2003-2011: Gov. Jim Douglas and Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie.
Walt Freed was the most recent Republican Speaker of the House (2005). This year, Republicans hope to claim several more seats and establish a caucus large enough to prevent overrides of presumed Gov. Scott’s vetos.
The 2023 Senate will need to pick up at least four seats to support the governor’s vetos. The last Republican Senate Pro Tem was Steven Webster of Orange County in 1997.
With the unpopularity of Pres. Joe Biden, there’s never been a better time to make major gains, state chair Paul Dame said.
“No statewide candidate in Ohio wants to campaign with him. His approval ratings are in the low 30s,” Dame said. “And a recent poll shows that a majority of low and middle class voters believe they are worse off under Biden’s policies – only the rich are benefiting.”