More breathless press releases came over the transom today from the TJ Donovan campaign about the 30-something Democratic primary candidate’s latest feats on the trail.
The reason for the shortness of breath? In just three days, he campaigned 56 hours straight, traveled 768 miles, attended 17 events and passed through all 14 of Vermont’s counties.
As of Tuesday, he has just 21 days to persuade Vermont’s most discriminating Democratic voters, i.e., party activists, that he’s Vermont attorney general material.
During his tour, Donovan received endorsements from three St. Albans mayors — past and present — Peter Deslauriers (1994-2006) and Martin Manahan (2006-2012), and last, but not least, the current mayor, Liz Gamache. Statehouse types may want to know that Rep. Michel Consejo, D-Franklin, backs Donovan.
Donovan has also announced his intentions re: prescription drugs. Like Gov. Peter Shumlin, he believes the state faces an “epidemic” of prescription drug use.
Donovan wrote in a statement: “We can no longer turn away from the epidemic that is killing our neighbors. Vermont cannot afford to lose another life in this battle against addiction.”
In the next sentence, the Burlington native says he doesn’t want to be “tough on crime.” Rather, he wants to be “smart” on crime.
Donovan wants to establish a “Good Samaritan Law,” that would, according to a statement from the campaign, allow drug users who are overdosing “to seek emergency medical help without the fear of facing charges. We should not prosecute those who seek sanctuary in this way for the pills in their pocket.”
He also wants the state to conduct opiate screening, provide more treatment beds and institute a pill “take back” program. (The latter is in place already — local police departments and the Vermont State Police have been asking Vermonters to give back prescription meds for several years now.)
