Paul Dame and Russ Ingalls campaigned in Barre Saturday, November 1 for election as the next Republican state chair. VDC was there to capture audio clips of their leadership vision and positions on public safety, health care, and school reform.
By Guy Page
Next Saturday November 8, in a Burlington hotel ballroom, Vermont Republican Party delegates will choose as their next party chairman either incumbent Paul Dame of Williston or challenger Russ Ingalls.
Dame is a financial planner, former Essex House member, and St. George resident. He has served as state chair since 2021. Ingalls, the Essex County state senator, owns a real estate office and a chain of Northeast Kingdom radio stations.
Today, Saturday November 1, the two candidates stumped at the Barre Town Committee breakfast at a local social organization, the Canadian Club. VDC asked each candidate: why should delegates choose you?
Dame cited his success and experience:
Ingalls said Vermont Republicans are looking for change, unity and bringing back big donors:
On winning elections
Ingalls reminded his listeners that Republicans are family, we fight then forgive. The enemy isn’t us. The enemy in this state is Progressives:
Ingalls said he will set up the Grassroots Organization Committee (GROC), a fast-response group of volunteers to help understaffed candidates in small towns:
Dame said the 2024 ‘Red Wave’ election, which happened on his watch, helped Republicans stop bad legislation. The 2026 election will help them pass good legislation:
Dame said that “if we flip the Senate, that is my number one goal:”
On public safety, school reform, and health care costs
Although the state chair doesn’t write the party platform or lobby for laws, voters still want to know where they stand. Barre Town Chair Terry Reil asked each candidate about the hot button issues of public safety, education reform, and health care.
Dame praised Gov. Scott’s public safety plan and progressive Chittenden County state’s attorney:
Ingalls said he will find a good candidate to run against George:
Ingalls said if Republicans become the Senate majority they can put forth a constitutional amendment to make Vermont bail laws tougher.
Education reform:
Dame: Simply put, the Democrat majority will not make meaningful change. It’ll take a Republican majority in at least one chamber of the Legislature:
Ingalls told a story about a small local school parking lot crowded with 30 cars – all of them owned by staff at a school with less than 100 students:
Health care:
Dame recounted how his wife being in a coma in a foreign country sparked his opposition to government-run health care:
Ingalls said the Green Mountain ‘Do Not Care’ Board is a relic of the state’s failed foray into single-payer health insurance. More insurance companies competing will drive down premium costs:
Rep. Mike Tagliavia, who is running for one of the two ‘at large’ seats on the state executive committee, summarized the debate:
Coverage of the upcoming GOP election will continue this week on VDC and Hot Off The Press, the Monday-Friday 11 AM radio program on WDEV.