By Guy Page

A Vermont Daily Chronicle report on migrant worker housing violations at the family farm of Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Molly Gray has received national attention following a televised debate exchange between Gray and Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rodgers.

Gray, a former lieutenant governor, is challenging Rodgers in the November 3 general election. Rodgers is trailing Gray according to two major polls.

The conservative news website The Gateway Pundit published an article Thursday, October 8, by Jim Hoft about Rodgers questioning Gray during an October 6 Vermont Public debate over state and federal investigations into Four Corners Farm in South Newbury, where Gray grew up and which remains operated by members of her family.

As reported by Vermont Daily Chronicle earlier this week, government records document investigations into housing provided for seasonal agricultural workers employed through the federal H-2A visa program.

Investigators identified several housing deficiencies, including inadequate insulation, heating concerns, damaged flooring and window screens, and livestock housed beneath a kitchen area used by workers. A Vermont Department of Labor official also described a basement shower as lacking lighting, ventilation and privacy.

Additional fire safety and building code concerns arose during the farm’s efforts to obtain approval for migrant worker housing.

During Tuesday’s debate, Rodgers noted that Gray frequently references her family farm upbringing in her campaign. He also cited language on her campaign website supporting the right of everyone to live with dignity and receive humane treatment.

Rodgers asked Gray why she had not publicly addressed the treatment of migrant workers at the farm and whether she had used her influence to direct the investigation.

“Wow. You know, John, seems like kind of a new, a new low here,” Gray responded. “I’m on the ballot. My experience, my background, my policies are on the ballot. My family is not on the ballot. So I’m going to give you an opportunity to ask a different question.”

“That’s my question,” Rodgers replied, declining to withdraw it.

Gray did not directly address the housing violations or the question about possible influence over the investigation.

The government records document violations and investigations involving Four Corners Farm but do not establish that Gray personally managed the worker housing or intervened in the investigations.

The Gateway Pundit article characterized the exchange as an example of Democratic hypocrisy and criticized Gray for declining to answer Rodgers’ questions. The website’s coverage brought the Vermont campaign dispute to a national conservative readership.

The exchange highlights a disagreement between the candidates over whether Gray’s references to her family farm make its employment and housing practices relevant to the campaign. Rodgers has raised questions about those practices, while Gray maintains that her family is not on the ballot. In the debate, Gray also alluded to disputes that Rodgers, a Northeast Kingdom cannabis farmer, has had with local and state officials.