Candidate who knocked off powerful Senate chair was raised on Bristol farm, disposed of bombs in Afghanistan
by Guy Page
Out of the wild blue yonder, a Bristol-raised farm kid who served as an Air National Guard bomb disposal tech in Afghanistan finished second in the two-seat Addison Senate race, accomplishing what many pundits thought just couldn’t be done: put powerful, incumbent chair like Chris Bray into the electoral hurt locker.
Who is Steve Heffernan, and why did he run for office?
According to his campaign website, he was moved to run because of “issues like the rising education tax, Clean Heat Standard (aka S.5), Act 250 and other legislative challenges that are being forced upon our small, yet mighty state of Vermont.”
The following is an excerpt from his campaign statement:
“I was born in Burlington and raised by two remarkable parents on our family farm in Bristol. They bestowed upon me the importance of working hard, having integrity, and respecting my neighbors. I am blessed to say I married my high school sweetheart, Erin, who gave me three beautiful children. I now have the pleasure of spoiling my five (to-date) grandchildren.
“I actualized my dream of serving our state and country when I joined the Vermont Air National Guard, a short 30 years ago. During my tenure as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tech (EOD), I have traveled across the world and served two tours in Afghanistan. Overlapping with my military service, I have owned/own local community businesses including 802 Excavating, GHR Metal Recycling and Heffernan Inspection and Repair.
“As a Vermont taxpayer, like you, I am concerned about the misdirection our General Assembly is leading us. From the many phone calls, petitions, editorials, and face-to-face conversations with Addison County’s legislators, our voices more often fall on deaf ears. Their responses to our concerns convey an, “I know better, you don’t,” attitude.
“As your Senator, I will listen to you using common sense, facts, and truth to protect our fiscal well being, the health and wellness of our people, and our environment. As a born and raised Vermonter, my ambitions are to make Vermont a more affordable state so that we and our children may live and raise families for generations to come.”
VDC will profile other relatively unknown winners of House and Senate elections in upcoming issues.