Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jack Lindley, the former chaiman of the Vermont Republican Party. He lives in Montpelier.
Vermonters would do well to consider Randy Brock as their next governor should he decide to run against Peter Shumlin. Mr. Brock, Vermont’s first major party minority gubernatorial candidate, represents a new politic of social justice combined with fiscal realism. State operations, including the state’s finances, are on an unsustainable path with Mr. Shumlin’s cavalier and ruthless political style unchecked by the legislative majority.
Those who think a rematch between Brock and Shumlin cannot produce a different outcome than 2012 should consider a variety of factors, not the least of which is the electoral math of a non-presidential year and the administrative mess that has become the Shumlin administration’s hallmark affecting more Vermonters each day.
First, let us consider the election math. Presidential election years always spur high turnout, and 2012 had an exceptionally high turnout due to the efforts of the Obama campaign which was a boost for Shumlin. In 2012 Shumlin beat Brock, 170,598 to 110,940 with 24,000 new voters added to the data file, despite no gain in population, and a total of 295,261 votes cast. In 2010 Peter Shumlin edged out Brian Dubie by less than 5,000 votes — 119,543 to 115,212 in a non-presidential year with a total of 241,605 votes cast. 2014 will be much more like 2010, and may actually have lower turnout than 2010 as there is no U.S. Senate race. Based on these results a Brock-Shumlin match up could be a statistical dead heat.
The next factor to consider is how Vermonters view Peter Shumlin’s policies and administration today after three and a half years. A recent poll showed less than 50 percent of Vermonters approve of his performance, a drop of 10 points. Why?
Mr. Shumlin ran on single payer health care in 2012. The cost was a big unknown at the time with the Legislature awaiting the financing plan in January 2013 according to the law he signed. The financing plan was never produced but since that time the cost of the program has continued to climb and create huge uncertainty for the business climate of the state as noted by Lt. Gov. Phil Scott in a recent VPR interview. This uncertainty is not helpful for legislative Democrats seeking re-election.
The current governor is more concerned with the national media spotlight for his own political future when he should be concerned how his administration is mishandling the priorities of the state.
The VPIRG-influenced GMO labeling law while well-intended will cost consumers dearly in their tax bill and at the grocery checkout.
Shumlin’s renewable energy policy has created social injustice with investment opportunities and tax breaks for the rich and higher electric rates for the rest of us.
Vermont has continued to shed livable wage jobs under Shumlin’s watch while the heroin epidemic has grown. He has no concrete plan to deal with either.
Together with the State Treasurer he cooked up a scheme for school boards and local taxpayers, who he has blamed for high taxes, to pick up the future tab to fund the state teacher pension funding problem, thus increasing taxes.
The Shumlin administration cannot successfully roll out a health care exchange nor protect Vermont’s most vulnerable children from harm.
What will it take to sweep out the careless Shumlin administration and install a new leader like Brock? First it will take the VT GOP to fully endorse Brock’s candidacy, it will take independents (including the business community) to recognize that balance can only be achieved by electing a new governor, and moderate Democrats will need to realize that their agenda is at risk of derailment due to Shumlin’s reckless management style and long-term impact.
Randy Brock understands government should work for the people not the other way around. He is an excellent manager, capable of implementing plans to reduce taxes, create jobs, improve education and reduce the burden of state bureaucracy in our lives. As a state senator he attempted to obtain Agency of Human Services cost and outcome data, but the agency could not provide this information. Brock understands that this agency needs better leadership, organization and internal policy to be accountable to the people it serves.
The current governor is more concerned with the national media spotlight for his own political future when he should be concerned how his administration is mishandling the priorities of the state. Brock will provide a voice to Vermonters who currently are shut out of the decision-making in Montpelier and he will care about the people who live here.
It is my great hope that the Vermont Republican Party will unite and support Randy Brock for governor. Please send an email to Randy at Randy@randybrock.com expressing your support and commitment to help his campaign in any way that you are able. It is going to take a grassroots army, but I know together we can defeat Peter Shumlin and put Vermont on the right track for our children and grandchildren.
