by Guy Page
Sam Douglass told VDC this afternoon he submitted his resignation as Orleans County state senator to the office of Gov. Phil Scott via email on Friday.
Douglass, a Troy resident, confirmed to VDC the resignation had been sent, but that the administration appeared to be having difficulty with the correct procedure to accept it – hence the mistaken media reports that he had yet to resign. He has since made additional steps to clarify the situation in consultation with GOP leaders.
Douglass also stated that he was immediately put on administrative leave from his job after Politico published a news story on October 14 about statements allegedly made by Douglass on a Young Republicans Telegram chat. Douglass was employed by Lamoille County Mental Health, a state-funded organization.
He expressed appreciation for the “overwhelming number” of constituents who asked him to not resign and in general gave their support.
The abrupt loss of his full-time income, as well as the part-time income earned as a state senator, has left the Douglass family with little means of support, just weeks after their first child was born. Douglass said he plans to seek full-time employment and hopes to start another small business on the side. A Give Send Go page is seeking donations to support them.