By Guy Page

After weeks of criticism by Republican incumbent John Rodgers, the campaign for the front-running candidate for lieutenant governor Molly Gray took aim at Rodgers this morning, charging that much of his funding and campaign help is from out-of-state – including a Virginia firm characterized as ‘Trump consultants’. 

Rodgers has questioned Gray for her family farm’s treatment of migrant workers and Sen. Peter Welch’s role in the farm investigation: for her ineffective non-profit oversight of military contractors during the Iraq War: and for giving the ‘right’ answers on a Democrat Socialists of America questionnaire before the August primary and then appearing to backtrack afterwards. 

Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Molly Gray enters the final weeks of the campaign with more than twice as much cash on hand as Republican incumbent John Rodgers, according to campaign finance figures released by the Gray campaign.

Gray reports $122,696 in cash on hand, compared to $49,774 for Rodgers. The Gray campaign also criticized Rodgers for spending more than $212,000 on out-of-state political consultants and accepting more than $100,000 in contributions from corporations, political action committees and Republican organizations. Most recently he has called Gray out for backing out of two debates, questioning whether she is sick, as she claims. 

Deputy Campaign Manager Erin Tevnan confirmed to VDC this morning that Gray is sick, but did not provide further details. She also reiterated criticism of the Rodgers campaign for disclosing personal information about the Gray farm owners in a lengthy document dump regarding the investigation into the migrant housing conditions. 

And in a separate campaign statement issued mid-morning, Tevnan focused of Rodgers’ campaign financing and hiring. 

“In the final days of this campaign, how John Rodgers is choosing to fund and operate his campaign says a lot about him, his priorities, and allegiances,” said Tevnan. “Rodgers has surrounded himself by out-of-state Republican consultants, including those who have worked directly for Donald Trump and JD Vance.”

According to figures provided by the Gray campaign, Rodgers has spent $92,251 with Virginia-based FlexPoint Campaigns, a firm that has listed President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance among its clients. Other expenditures include $44,000 to Massachusetts polling firm Opinion Diagnostics, $38,068 to New Jersey-based Campaign Engine Group, $27,593 to New York-based Honold Communications and $11,060 to New Jersey-based Madison Holmes Consulting.

The five expenditures total $212,972.

The Gray campaign also highlighted contributions Rodgers received from Republican organizations, including $20,000 from the Vermont Republican State Committee, more than $15,000 from the Rutland County Republican Committee and $15,000 from the Orleans County Republican Committee.

Under Vermont campaign finance law, political parties and their local affiliates may make unlimited contributions to statewide candidates.

Gray’s campaign said Rodgers has also received more than $51,500 from corporate donors, including Philip Morris International, T-Mobile, Kalshi and Google.

Gray, meanwhile, has pledged not to accept contributions from corporations or corporate political action committees.

The campaigns also differ in the number and size of individual contributions reported.

Gray’s campaign says it has received more than 2,500 individual contributions from donors in all 14 Vermont counties, with 52% of contributions totaling $100 or less.

Rodgers, according to the Gray campaign, has received 676 individual contributions, averaging more than $550 each. His three largest donors are Republican party committees, which contributed a combined $45,978 during the past six weeks.

The figures reflect different fundraising and spending patterns between the two campaigns. Contributions from party committees and corporations are permitted under Vermont law, subject to applicable campaign finance rules.

The financial figures and spending totals cited in the Gray campaign’s statement have not been independently verified against the latest Secretary of State filings. VDC has asked the Rodgers campaign to comment on today’s Gray campaign statement, and will publish it when received.