State Rep. John Morley, R-Orleans-Caledonia-1, announced this week he is running for House Minority Whip in the Vermont Legislature. The whip manages key party legislation and counts votes as bills near
action on the House floor.
He would replace Rep. Pat McDonald, R-Berlin, who is running for the state Senate.
Morley made his intention public at the House Appropriations Committee Budget Adjustment hearings earlier this week. He can no longer serve on that committee if he is elected to the No. 2 party leadership post when House Republicans caucus in January.
Rep. Patti Komline, R-Bennington-Rutland-1, is the Republican House Minority Leader.
Morley has served six years in the House; two years on the House Commerce Committee and four years on the Appropriations Committee.
“I’ve been thinking about a leadership position for a little while now, and I really think there are some opportunities for some Republicans to get back some House seats,” Morley says.
Morley says he’ll be working with Komline and the party to find out “what people want as far as taxes, as far as permitting, as far as energy use.”
His “core” issue, he adds, will be working to inspire young people to run for office. “A lot of people are so upset with the political situation, either state or federal, that I think it’s a chance to get people active again.”
Morley is Orleans Village manager and former chair of the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority, a wholesale electric power supplier to municipalities and electric co-ops. He represents Albany, Craftsbury, Orleans, Barton, Greensboro, Sheffield and Wheelock in the Legislature.
