By Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott announced this morning he will seek a fourth term for governor.
Scott was first elected in 2016. A centrist Republican, he is criticized by activists on both ends of the political spectrum but enjoys support from many Democrats and most Republicans. To date only Brenda Siegel, a progressive advocate for the homeless, has entered the 2022 race for governor.
Scott has easily defeated the last two Democrats to challenge him in 2018 and 2020. On WVMT’s The Morning Drive this morning, host Kurt Wright said he would be surprised if any ‘first tier’ candidate runs against Scott, and would be even more surprised if Scott lost. The governor will be a guest on Morning Drive tomorrow morning.
The governor made his announcement on his political Facebook page, “Phil Scott for Vermont.” The full text appears below.
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First, I want to thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the years.
In that time, we’ve made a lot of progress, like record budget surpluses and record investments in housing, infrastructure, broadband, combating climate change, and more.
We’ve stopped multiple attempts to raise taxes, fees and the cost of living on already overburdened Vermonters. And while not nearly enough, we’ve even provided some much needed tax relief.
We’ve proven that when we put politics aside and pull together, we can successfully navigate a once-in-a-century pandemic better than most every other state across the country.
At a time when America seems more divided and polarized than ever, I’ve worked to bring people together. Listening to – and learning from – all points of view, so we can try to find consensus. Always treating others – even when we fundamentally disagree – with respect and dignity. And I’ve never run a negative campaign and never will, because Vermonters, and all Americans, deserve a better and more civil political space – if for no other reason than to be better role models for our children, because they’re watching us.
Together, we’ve made a difference.
But there’s still much more work to do!
That’s why I’ve decided to seek another term as governor.
My priority won’t be campaigning. I will continue to focus on doing the job you hired me to do and leading our state. You’ll hear more from me in the months ahead, but for now, I just wanted to let you know what I’ve decided.
Thank you for having my back. I’ve always said, whether it’s business, politics or racing, success is always about the team you surround yourself with. And I’m honored to have you on mine.