My Fellow Vermonters:
Primary day in Vermont was a long one for many. Poll workers, town clerks, candidates and supporters put in many hours so that voters could engage and vote. I am grateful to all, especially the ROY4VT volunteers who made sure to bring a personal touch to the polling locations in Chittenden Southeast. As a result, I was able to visit each town in the Senate district from Jericho to Charlotte to Burlington and all the other 8 towns!
It was a long day; lots of miles & smiles, lots of conversations & concerns. There was the lifelong Bolton resident afraid she was going to have to sell her home and leave VT as taxes and utility prices continue to rise. There was a young voter in Shelburne struggling to see a path to staying in VT and owning a home. There were the many citizens who just wanted to thank me for running and offering a choice. I was humbled they took the time to share with me and my supporters their concerns & priorities.
To the point … I ran across the district all day, voting location to voting location on a beautiful Vermont summer day. I was hot & tired and ready to be home. We all know the feeling! But to my surprise – home came to me! I ended the day in a camp chair underneath a shade tree with a slight breeze, during the last few hours of primary voting at the Guard Armory in my hometown of Williston. I was sitting next to my beautiful & supportive wife of 20 plus years, joking with the town clerk as she started to shut down operations, and thanking one of the last voters who exclaimed “I’m glad I made it in time, I came here to vote for you!”
The moment was perfect. The day wasn’t quite over, but I truly was home! I was balanced & content, cherishing small town Vermont life under a quiet shade tree. There was no place I would have rather been.
This is why I am running for the Vermont Senate. All Vermonters deserve this kind of moment. I am committed now more than ever to making sure “the 14th star continues to shine bright” for everyone.
There is much more to be done before the General Election on November 5th in order bring balance and common sense to MontpeIier. I am energized and ready to change the course toward Vermont’s future!
-Bruce Roy For Vermont Senate
The author is a Williston resident and Republican candidate for the Chittenden Southeast Senate seat.