Nolan gets C, Scott gets D, Welch, Balint, Gray get Fs

By Guy Page

GOP U.S. Senate candidates Gerald Malloy and Myers Mermel both have earned “AQ” ratings from the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund – the highest possible ranking for a candidate without an actual voting record. 

Mermel is a former aide and hunting companion to Gov. Mike Huckabee. Malloy is a retired U.S. Army officer. 

AQ is the rank given to “a pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.” The NRA-PVF gives two other A rankings.

GOP Senate candidate Christina Nolan earned a C rating. Democrat likely nominee Peter Welch got an F. 

In the House race, Republicans Ericka Redic and Anya Tynio also both earned an AQ rating from the NRA-PFV. There was no mention of GOP candidate Liam Madden. Democrats Becca Balint, Molly Gray and Louis Meyers all earned an F. 

Gov. Phil Scott got a “D”. Lt. Gov. candidate Joe Benning earned an A and the NRA endorsement, while his opponent Greg Thayer earned a C. Democrat candidates Charlie Kimbell, Kitty Toll and David Zuckerman all received failing grades. 

The NRA-PVF also endorsed Rep. Vicki Strong (Irasburg) and Erin Testut (Essex-Orleans) in GOP House primary races. 

The NRA-PVF does not explain how it determined its rankings.