Editor: our apologies for the erroneous headline in today’s newsletter.
by Greg Thayer
As the Primary elections are in the rear view mirror and other forms of nominations are set for the General Election on 5 November, it is obvious that Vermont needs a closed Primary system. This is one of the most important general elections that we will ever vote in.
First, congratulations to the winners. For those of us who did not prevail and did not earn the right to participate in the genaral election, keep your head high, you stepped up and put your name on a public ballot. Most people will never do that and your actions are appreciated.
I lost the vote count, but I didn’t lose. I got to talk to and listen to thousands and thousands and thousands of great Vermonters across our great little State. I was able to share their hopes, frustrations, and disappointments on the stage. Letting their voices be heard loudly.
I have my feelings and thoughts about what some “republicans” did during the Primary. Its nonsense to say that a Conservative cannot win against a Democrat-Socialist, because we are to Conservative. We are more of a true contrast from anyone on the other side. To me that is what is needed. Because when a moderate Republican runs, they’re about the same ideologically to a Democrat, and it doesnt matter who people really vote for. We’ve seen that in the gubentorial race for the past 10 years. In the LT. Governor’s race, our party has put up four moderate Republican’s (Randy Brock, Don Turner, Jr, Scott Milne, & Joe Benning) and they have all lost soundly. The last Republican elected LT. Governor was a Conservative, and prolife Patriot named Brian Dubie. Maybe we need to get behind a real common-sense Republican.
Additionally, in my Lieutenant Governor’s race ten days ago we saw a number of Democrats vote in the Republican Primary. Lets look at some numbers. Only 24,985 Republican ballots were cast, thats only 15% of all 507,023 registered voters in Vermont. Phil Scott received 22,173 votes. In the LT. Governor’s race a total of 22,458 ballots were cast. In the US Senate, the SOS, and for State Treasurer Republican Primary, there were 20,383, 18,989, and 19,286 respectively, votes cast Statewide. My team estimates that nearly 4,00 to 4,500 Democrats crossed over to vote in the GOP Primary. They voted for Scott and my opponent, but not for down ticket Republican candidates or real Republicans. But without a clear capture when requesting your ballot we don’t know.
In the end, this is our open election system. Like it or not. Until we elect Republicans under the Gold Dome, we cannot change the system.
Two years ago I said that people can vote for whomever they chose.. For me, I’m a proud common-sense Vermont Conservative Republican that supports freedom, liberty, innovation, transparency, and personal responsibility. Equally, I’m pro-gun, pro-life, pro-workers, pro-family. I do not support the legalization of marijuana or the decriminization of various crimes, and I’m a President Trump supporter. My primary opponent does not align with me on these issues. For those reasons, I will not give up my principles. To me, he helped put working Vermonters in this bad situation.
Greg Thayer is a Rutland resident and former candidate for lieutenant governor.
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