Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Monday that he will appoint Michael Sirotkin, the widower of Sen. Sally Fox, to the Vermont Senate. Fox, who died of cancer Jan. 10, served 17 years in the Statehouse first as a representative, and more recently as a state senator.
Last week, Sirotkin asked the Chittenden County Democratic Committee to consider him for his late wife’s seat. In all, seven candidates came forward, four of whom dropped out to make way for Sirotkin. The committee sent three recommendations to the governor — Sirotkin, Debbie Ingram and Dawn Ellis.
Shumlin said in a statement released to the media that there were several “exceptional candidates” for the Senate seat.
“But Sally wanted her husband to fill her seat after her death, and recognizing Sirotkin’s strong qualifications, I’m honoring that request,” Shumlin said. “I’m confident that Michael will continue the great work Sally did for the district and the state.”
Sirotkin is a principal at the lobbying firm Sirotkin and Necrason, which he founded in 1998. He says he will sell his lobbying interest in the firm and stop all lobbying activity.
Sirotkin started his career in the law at Vermont Legal Aid in the mid-1970s. He is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and he holds a law degree from the University of Denver College of Law. He lives in South Burlington.
Over the last 30 years, he has developed a lobbying practice focused on labor issues, civil justice, affordable housing, land conservation and consumer issues.
Sirotkin will begin work in the Senate on Feb. 11.
