By Guy Page

The Milton Republican Town Committee is calling on State Senate candidate Irene Wrenner to stop distributing a campaign mailer that references the late Don Turner Jr., arguing that it creates a misleading impression about Turner’s views of Wrenner.

Turner, a former House Republican leader, Milton state representative, fire chief, and town manager, died in 2024.

“Don Turner knew exactly who he supported, and it wasn’t Irene Wrenner,” Milton Republican Town Committee Chair Cathy Vadnais said in a statement. “Twisting a secondhand memory of a man who can no longer speak for himself into a campaign endorsement is wrong.”

According to the committee, Wrenner’s mailer includes a recollection by a radio host [later identified as Morning Drive guest-host Steward Leadbetter] of something Turner reportedly said at a forum more than two years ago. The Republicans contend the remark is presented without enough context and could leave voters with the impression that Turner supported Wrenner.

The committee pointed to Turner’s political activity before his death, saying that during Wrenner’s 2024 re-election campaign, Turner endorsed her Republican opponent, Chris Mattos. The committee also noted that Turner was a supporter of Republican Rep. Ashley Bartley.

“Don’s actual position is a matter of public record,” the committee said.

Vadnais called on Wrenner to stop using the mailer and accused her of using Turner’s memory for political gain.

Turner was a longtime figure in Milton and Vermont Republican politics. He served in the Vermont House, including as House Republican leader, and later served as Milton town manager. Milton’s public works facility was named the Donald H. Turner Jr. Public Works Facility in his honor.

Vermont Daily Chronicle contacted Wrenner seeking her response to the Republican committee’s criticism and questions about the context of the Turner reference in the mailer. She had not responded as of publication.

VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued the following statement in response:

“When I saw what Wrenner had done, I was beside myself,” said Dame. “I don’t think I’ve seen a more insensitive, disingenuous and selfish thing ever done by a candidate desperate to win a race. Wrenner’s postcard appears to be an effort to take someone else’s memory of something said by the late Don Turner, and make it appear like an endorsement of her. Two years ago when Don was still with us he endorsed Wrenner’s opponent, Chris Mattos and it’s just disgusting to see Wrenner trying to mislead people in the very first election we’ve had since Don’s passing. Wrenner never would have dared to put out a postcard like that if Don were still alive today.

Everyone who knew Don Turner knew that he was a good-natured man who would always make an effort to say or do something positive. Don’s willingness to speak well of people he disagreed with is being twisted for political gain, and it’s one of the dirtiest tricks I’ve ever seen. This is just one more example of Irene Wrenner’s incredibly poor judgement which demonstrates how out of touch she is with the people of her district.

I am also calling on other Democrat Senators who served with Don to publicly condemn Wrenner’s mail piece, and join me in demanding her to issue a public apology to the family of Don Turner.”

Over the weekend the Milton Republicans also issued a statement on their Facebook page.