Newcomers named to key state posts
VTGOP State Chairman Paul Dame was successfully re-elected at the Vermont Republican State Convention this weekend, despite a late challenge from former U.S. congressional candidate Anya Tynio.
“I hadn’t heard anything about a challenge until Friday morning, so I wasn’t too worried,” said Dame. “Most of my efforts the past few weeks went in to ensuring that the rest of the day’s program went smoothly and our team was prepared to welcome the roughly 200 guests that joined us throughout the day.”
Tynio, who had established herself as a loyal Trump supporter and critic of Governor Phil Scott dring her 2022 campaign adopted a more moderate tone in her candidate speech, promising to work with moderates if elected to leadership.
The elections were held at the end of a full day of training for party leaders coupled with multiple policy panels moderated by Republican legislators in the House and Senate.
”Having a chance to hear from and interact with our elected legislators was a really good idea,” one attnedee said. “It gave them a significant role and gave us a chance to appreciate what they deal with all the time. I hope we can keep that element going forward.”
In addition to raising the profile of Vermont legislators, the event also brought in some nationally recognized figues, such as Grover Norquist, of American for Tax Reform, Former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts Scott Brown, Republican voter registration activist Scott Presler and Georgia State Rep. Mesha Mainor.
Other changes in state party leadership included the retirement of long-time secretary Deb Ricker, who had been the logest-serving member of the committee with nearly a decade of experience. Dan Feliciano was un-opposed in his effort to fill the role. Vice Chair Samantha Lefebvre, Treasurer Deb Billado & Assistant Treasurer Tom Koch all won their re-elections unopposed.
Franklin County Chair Joe Luneau was elected to one of the two additional seats on the state executive committee. Luneau stepped down from his role of Chair of Chairs which went to a new comer and young Republican Josh Bechhoefer from Cornwall.
The second seat on the executive committee went to another first-time participant, Dr. August Murray of Weathersfield. August grew up in southern Vermont, is a graduate of Norwich University and a retired U.S. Army Colonel. He now runs a family farm producing local beef and chickens.
“I am energized by the new people we brought in Saturday,” said chairman Dame. “I think we have some great people who really want to work together with the party and move us forward in being more competative in 2024.”