Gov. Phil Scott (top, foreground) and large crowd clap support for presidential candidate Nikki Haley yesterday in South Burlington. Bottom left, Rep. Patti McCoy behind Haley and another supporter. Haley campaign photos.
By Guy Page
Gov. Phil Scott appeared to urge Vermonters of all political perspectives to help give presidential candidate Nikki Haley her first state victory over Donald Trump tomorrow, March 5, Super Tuesday.
“If you want to help stop Donald Trump, please, please show up on Tuesday, take a Republican ballot and vote for Nikki Haley,” Scott told a packed crowd at Haley’s Vermont campaign stop Sunday afternoon at the DoubleTree Hilton in South Burlington.
Scott’s comment wasn’t the only indication Sunday afternoon of a likely crossover vote. VT Digger reported a Middlesex attendee who identified as at LGBTQ+ Democrat who was planning to vote for Haley over either Trump or Biden.
The Haley campaign has welcomed ‘crossover’ support from Democrats in other states, including neighboring New Hampshire. However, she also has a significant number of endorsements from current and former elected Republicans.
Last month, with an eye towards tomorrow’s presidential primary, Haley announced her Vermont state leadership team, including nearly a dozen state legislators and former Gov. James Douglas.
Sunday afternoon, many were present at her South Burlington campaign rally. Also present was Gov. Phil Scott, who endorsed her months ago but is not an official member of the Haley campaign leadership team.
According to a campaign press release, the team is chaired by the Republican Leader for the Vermont House of Representatives, Pattie McCoy; the Republican Whip for the Vermont House of Representatives, Casey Toof; State Representative Ashley Bartley; and former Governor Jim Douglas. Before announcing her leadership team, Haley also received the endorsement of Vermont Governor Phil Scott earlier this year ahead of the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary.
“It’s time for a new generation of leadership in this country, and Nikki Haley is leading the charge,” said Rep. Bartley of Georiga. “She’s the only candidate who can break through the drama and chaos and actually deliver on the issues that are facing this country. Vermonters are looking for someone who can bring freedom and unity, and that’s absolutely Nikki Haley.”
“We need a president who is going to get us back to the basics: making sure that our economy is strong and that we’re protecting the liberties of all Americans,” said Douglas. “Nikki Haley’s experience as South Carolina’s chief executive is what this country needs.”
“Nikki Haley is the last woman standing between the rematch the majority of Vermonters – and Americans – do not want. She is a new generational conservative leader who will get our country back on track, secure both sides of the border, grow the economy, and make sure our children are set up for success,” said McCoy.
Haley’s Vermont Leadership Team includes:
Co-Chairs
- Ashley Bartley, State Representative (Franklin-1)
- Pattie McCoy , State Representative (Rutland-1), House Republican Leader
- Casey Toof, State Representative (Franklin-8), House Republican Whip
- Jim Douglas, Former Governor
- Mary and Tom Evslin, Businessman, Former Vermont Secretary of Transportation
- Joe Benning, Former State Senate Republican Leader
- Bruce Lisman, Business Leader & Founder of Campaign for Vermont
Endorsers
- Scott Beck, State Representative (Caledonia-Essex)
- Carolyn Branagan, State Representative (Franklin-1)
- Pat Brennan, State Representative (Chittenden-19)
- Tom Burditt, State Representative (Rutland-2)
- Lynn Dickinson, State Representative (Franklin-2)
- Rodney Graham, State Representative (Orange-3)
- Jim Harrison, State Representative (Rutland-11)
- Woodman Page, State Representative (Orleans-2)
- Butch Shaw, State Representative (Rutland-8)
- Larry Cupoli, Former State Representative (Rutland-5-2)
- Peter Fagan, Former State Representative (Rutland-5-1)
- Marty Feltus, Former State Representative (Caledonia-4)
- John Mitchell, Former State Representative (Franklin-2)
- Steve Larabee, Former Vermont GOP Chair, Former State Representative (Caledonia-Washington-1)
- Jeff Bartley, Former Vermont GOP Executive Director
- Dawn Terrill, Former Vermont Secretary of Transportation, Former Finance Chair for Vermont GOP, Business Owner
- Stephen Trahan, Former Franklin County GOP Chair
- John MacGovern, Windsor County GOP Chair
- George Brakeley, Grassroots Leader
- Pamela Cowan, Grassroots Leader
- Andrew Crossman, Grassroots Leader
- Mike Donohue, Grassroots and Business Industry Leader
- Chad Dunbar , Grassroots Leader
- Cynthia Duprey, Grassroots Leader
- Eric Gershman, Grassroots Leader
- Tim Hayward, Chief of Staff to Former Governor Douglas
- Susan Hayward, Gubernatorial Appointee
- Jon Hughes, Grassroots Leader
- Mark Johnston, Grassroots Leader
- Peter Judge, Grassroots Leader
- Dolores Norris, Grassroots Leader
- Tony O’Rourke, Grassroots Leader
- Ronald Pal, Grassroots Leader
- Andrew Shaw, Grassroots Leader
- Lane Shea, Grassroots Leader
- Mark Shepard, Grassroots Leader
- John Whitman, Grassroots Leader
- Deborah and Gordon Winters, Business Leaders
Names of VT GOP supporters provided by Nikki Haley campaign.