By Guy Page

In the lead-up to tonight’s televised campaign debate between Republican Lt. Gov. John Rodgers and Democratic challenger Molly Gray, both campaigns are announcing endorsements, questioning each other’s records, and making the case that their candidate is better suited to serve Vermonters.

The live, hour-long debate can be seen tonight at 7 PM on WCAX.

The exchanges have become pointed. Rodgers and his supporters are portraying Gray as a career-minded politician with ties to national and international political circles. Gray’s campaign, meanwhile, is accusing Rodgers of relying on out-of-state Republican consultants, corporate contributions, and political operatives connected to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Behind the charges are two competing pictures of what Vermont needs in its next lieutenant governor: Rodgers, a farmer and former Democratic legislator who switched parties, says he represents independent, working-class Vermont. Gray, a former lieutenant governor seeking to reclaim the office, is emphasizing her experience, campaign organization, and ability to bring new leadership to Montpelier.

Rodgers wins support from former Democratic Senate leader

On Wednesday October 21, Rodgers, a former Democrat state senator, announced the endorsement of John F. Campbell, a lifelong Democrat and former President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate.

“As a lifelong Democrat and former President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate, I’ve worked with people from both political parties,” Campbell said. “I believe public office is a responsibility, not a steppingstone to personal or political advancement. Vermonters deserve leaders who understand that distinction and are committed to serving the people, not pursuing political opportunities. That is why I am supporting John Rodgers for Lieutenant Governor.”

Current Rep. Laura Sibilia (I-Dover), a former candidate for Speaker of the House and an influential lawmaker in establishing broadband in Vermont, also backed Rodgers.

Business, land-use advocate back Rodgers

Rodgers also received the endorsement of Colleen Goodridge, president of Albany-based Goodridge Lumber, a business specializing in cedar lumber and log homes.

“John has never been someone who simply follows the party line,” Goodridge wrote in a letter released Tuesday. “Throughout his career, he has been willing to work with people from either party when it benefits Vermonters, and willing to stand up to either party when he believes Montpelier is getting it wrong.”

Goodridge praised Rodgers for supporting Vermont’s farm and forest industries and opposing provisions of Act 181, the state’s land-use reform law.

Vermont Traditions Coalition

The Vermont Traditions Coalition, which advocates for traditional land uses and property rights, also endorsed Rodgers.

“All Vermonters should be excited to have somebody with the integrity of John Rodgers as Lieutenant Governor,” coalition executive director Mike Covey said after Rodgers was first elected, according to a statement circulated by the campaign.

According to the Blue Voter Guide, Gray’s endorsements include unions, environmental, and reproductive rights groups, including:

• Let’s Grow Kids – Action Network
• Our Revolution
• Justice Opportunity Liberty Politico (JOLPOL)
• Planned Parenthood Vermont Action Fund
• The NewDEAL
• Vermont Conservation Voters
• Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA)

Gray’s website also lists endorsements by the American Federation of Teachers, the Vermont NEA, and a plethora of current and former legislators and other elected officials. 

Gray attacks Rodgers’ campaign spending

Gray’s campaign has taken a different approach, focusing in part on Rodgers’ campaign finances and his use of political consultants from outside Vermont.

According to figures released by Gray’s campaign last week, Gray entered the final stretch of the election with $122,696 in cash on hand, compared with $49,774 for Rodgers.

Gray’s campaign also said Rodgers had spent more than $212,000 on out-of-state Republican consultants and accepted more than $100,000 in corporate and Republican Party contributions.

“In the final days of this campaign, how John Rodgers is choosing to fund and operate his campaign says a lot about him, his priorities, and allegiances,” said Erin Tevnan, Gray’s deputy campaign manager.

“Rodgers has surrounded himself by out-of-state Republican consultants, including those who have worked directly for Donald Trump and JD Vance. He’s also accepted more than $100,000 in corporate contributions and contributions from Republican party insiders.”

Among the firms identified by Gray’s campaign is Virginia-based Flexpoint Campaigns.

The criticism raises a question about Rodgers’ political identity. He campaigns as an independent-minded Vermonter willing to break with party leaders, but his opponent argues that his campaign operation is tied to the national Republican political network.

Rodgers’ supporters, on the other hand, point to his Democratic endorsements as evidence that he is not bound by party loyalty.

Campaign spending figures alone do not establish how a candidate would govern. Both candidates are operating within a political system in which consultants, party organizations, and donors play major roles.

Rodgers ‘putting himself first’?

In an October 19 campaign statement, Deputy Campaign Manager Erin Tevnan criticized Rodgers’ conflict with state and local government, claiming Rodgers has a pattern of ‘putting himself first.’

“Lt. Governor John Rodgers has gone after his neighbors, Glover town workers and his community to get what he wants. He fought to change state law to work in his financial favor. John has a pattern of trying to mow down anything that stands in his way. Molly Gray, and Vermonters won’t be intimidated by his attacks or divisive political drama and they are ready to turn the page and move forward,” said Deputy Campaign Manager, Erin Tevnan.

• On April 23, 2025, Rodgers, in his capacity as Lt. Governor, testified before the Vermont Senate (starting at 34:00) and used his position to lobby for a decrease in cannabis licensing fees for his weed business so he could directly benefit and secure a bigger profit.
  
• On June 11, 2025, Rodgers, while serving as Lt. Governor, filed suit against his hometown of Glover to prevent the community from maintaining a road used by neighbors and community members to access land.
  
• On July 8, 2025, Rodgers came after Glover town workers, specifically colliding with a town grader, spurring a criminal investigation.
  
• August 26, 2026, Rodgers delays mediation with his town, citing “no availability”, putting his political ambition first, and the Glover community second, until after November 9. (See attached August 26, 2026 Selectboard Meeting minutes).
  
• As of October 15, 2026, the dispute was ongoing, with Rodgers spending countless hours of his time as Lt. Governor fighting in court (October 2025 and December 2025) and filing motion after motion.
  
• In August, and September 2025, Vermont investigated Rodgers for growing more than 100 weed plants off the books while serving as Lt. Governor, and then fined Rodgers, after he failed to follow the same cannabis laws he helped create when he was a legislator.

Rodgers questions Gray’s international work

Rodgers has also sought to put Gray on the defensive over her role in establishing the International Code of Conduct Association, or ICoCA, an organization formed to promote standards and oversight for private security companies operating internationally.

Rodgers has called on Gray to explain her involvement with the organization, pointing to a 2016 report by the advocacy group War on Want that criticized the association as dominated by the private security industry it was intended to oversee.

The criticism raises questions about Gray’s international policy experience, which has been a significant part of her professional background.

But the existence of criticism of ICoCA does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing by Gray or show that she was responsible for the practices cited in the report.

In response, the Gray campaign acknowledged the work Gray had done on behalf of the ICoCA, but did not address the charge that the industry is dominating the oversight organization.

Different experience, different political messages

Both candidates have served as lieutenant governor, giving voters an opportunity to compare their records rather than simply their campaign promises.

Rodgers emphasizes his decades in the Legislature, agricultural background, and willingness to challenge policies he believes harm rural Vermont.

Gray points to her experience in public office and professional work beyond Vermont, offering a different perspective on leadership and the state’s future.

The lieutenant governor presides over the Vermont Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes. The office has limited direct authority over spending, taxes, and regulation, although its occupant can use the position to promote legislation and influence public debate.