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Winner will challenge Democrat incumbent
| Republished from the Journal-Opinion August 7 newsletter Two Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination to oppose Democratic incumbent state Rep. Bobby Farlice-Rubio of Barnet this November. They are Shawn Hanover, 55, of Barnet, and Debra Powers, 58, of Waterford. The seat represents constituents from Barnet, Ryegate and Waterford, in southern Caledonia County along the Connecticut River. Before Farlice-Rubio was elected, the seat was held by a Republican who chose to not seek e-relection. The Journal Opinion asked both House candidates preparing for the Republican primary in August a series of questions. Their responses are below, along with information about the candidates. Hanover brings three decades of restaurant management experience to the plate, having worked at a half dozen companies during that time with yearly sales topping $5 million and staffs as large as 125. He has owned two of his own businesses and his wife has likewise been an entrepreneur. He married his high school sweetheart Jessica, in 1988, and the couple have raised five children on their homestead farm and home schooled them through high school until they went off to college or the trades, noted Hanover. The family attends the Pleasant Street Baptist Church in St. Johnsbury. He credits his faith with having overcome addictions to alcohol and gambling in 1997, he shared with the newspaper. He is semi-retired today and drives a bus for Butler’s bus. “I decided to run because of the property tax issues facing our state,” Hanover told the JO. “I have been researching what has been happening in Montpelier over the last decade with the Democrat supermajority and I am in shock with what has passed already and what they have planned for the future” Hanover said, “They call it ‘investment’, but I call it tax and spend. Vermont is becoming the most progressive state in the country and is on an unsustainable course for middle income individuals and families.” “I am not a moderate. I am not going to settle for half measures and will not succumb to special interest groups and out of state pressure and money,” vowed Hanover. “It’s impossible to represent the whole district because of the large gap between the right and the left: I will vote against all taxes, I will vote against all gun control measures and work to repeal the ones in place, and will vote against any measures that interfere with the rights of parents.” Hanover said, “I believe that my years in corporate America has prepared me to be Caledonia 1’s representative. I can learn the ropes and rules quickly, I can read and understand policies and their future ramifications and offer suggestions or criticism based on past experiences.” He continued, “I stand with the Heritage Foundation and the 900+ page document for America. I am a Republican and stand clearly on the right side of the aisle. I am on Facebook at Shawn Hanover for House.” “I have gone door to door in Barnet and attended functions in Waterford. The overwhelming issue that was expressed to me by both sides of the aisle is the property tax increases and failing schools. How can we spend so much and have an extremely low teacher to student ratio and not be successful? On the town of Barnet page on Facebook, the increases of taxes had been of great concern from most of the 5k members,” he went on. Hanover said, “It was great to see the stories of neighbors helping neighbors in this latest round of flooding and I even was a recipient of assistance with my driveway.” “If you are looking for a moderate who will settle for the best we can get then I am not your guy. If you are looking for someone to stand in the gap in Montpelier and say ‘No, we can not do that’ and possibly lose every fight and not get beat down, then I am your representative. I cannot promise results, but will report weekly what the Democrats are doing and keep Barnet, Waterford and Ryegate abreast of the dire situation our once great state is heading to. I will be your voice.” Debra Powers Also seeking the Republican vote in the upcoming primary election to run as a Republican for the Caledonia 1 House seat is Debra “Debbie” Powers. She grew up on a dairy farm in Ira, Vermont, in Rutland County. She graduated from Mill River Union High School and attended Vermont Technical College and earned a business degree in Agriculture. Powers and her husband Kevin raised four children on their farm in Waterford and keep a small beef herd, and make maple syrup. She has worked alongside Kevin to grow The Powers Agency into one of the country’s top-ranked insurance agencies nationally. Their insurance agency office is located in St. Johnsbury. Asked about seeking office as a state Representative, Powers shared with the JO, “I believe small towns need a representative that will stand up to special interest groups and the existing supermajority that continues to lead us on a path of uncontrolled spending and higher taxes.” “This is not fiscally responsible or a sustainable path for Vermont’s future,” said Powers. “I believe in a Vermont that is affordable for families, farms, and small business owners. This is becoming increasingly more difficult directly because of our current state government.” For Powers, her top priorities if elected would be: to keep Vermont affordable, promote our agricultural heritage, and to preserve Vermont’s outdoor traditions. She noted, “The G.E.T. R.E.A.L. platform is a great template for the changes that Vermont needs.” She noted of her candidacy, “I am a proud and true Vermonter that has a farm and small business background as well as being a wife and mother to four children. I know the meaning and value of hard work and commitment. At the Powers Agency, I have the privilege of working with families and business owners. This has given me unique insight into the challenges Vermonters are facing.” “I want a Vermont that keeps our traditions and heritage alive for the next generations to affordably live in this beautiful state,” said Powers. Her Facebook page can be seen at Debra Powers for VT House. Powers said of her campaign, “I am knocking on doors in Waterford, Barnet, and Ryegate handing out my palm cards every chance I get. People are concerned about their taxes going up, the education system and the mandates the state requires. I actually had a school teacher say, ‘We need to throw out the current education system and start over!’ “ Of the recent devastating flooding that hit the Northeast Kingdom hard, Powers said, “I want to thank all the towns and small contractors that have worked so hard to get our roads passable. They have done a phenomenal job. As for climate change platforms, we need to restore carbon dioxide reduction mandates to goals and refocus environmental policy on Vermont rather than trying to change the global climate.” She concluded, “We need business-minded people to run our state.” |
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Both candidates strike me as having, the right stuff to be effective representing the majority views and attitudes.
Well, it sounds like Mr. Hanover won’t be getting any real support from the VT GOP. He sounds like he might dare to try to Make Vermont Great Again.
Good luck to each for their time, effort, and selflessness.
Now, if only the electorate would begin to pay attention and stop the pathetic partyline voting.