[D]r. Louis Meyers, a Rutland physician and relative newcomer to the state, intends to mount a campaign for lieutenant governor as an independent, though he admittedly has much work ahead to mount a serious run.
“This is my first foray into politics, and obviously it would be considered a long shot,” Meyers told VTDigger in an interview. “I’ll be meeting with people and talking to them about what their issues are.
“I see this as a win for me even if I don’t win the election because I love learning about Vermonters,” Meyers added.
Meyers portrayed himself as a true independent, praising the work of Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and Gov. Peter Shumlin. He said he has no connections to the Green or Progressive parties, and that he was not advised by anyone to run.
Meyers has a barebones campaign website, but he has not filed the necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office. He said he is in the process of finding a campaign manager. He acknowledged no real connections to political figures or donors in the state, and said his campaign would likely be publicly financed.
He said he would develop policy proposals over the coming months, but singled out a number of issues, including job creation and health care and criminal justice reforms in Vermont.
“Some of my experiences may be helpful, it’s just a question on how helpful and effective I can be,” Meyers said.
Meyers, 60, joined the staff at Rutland Regional Medical Center this year, according to the hospital’s website. He went to medical school and served his residency at George Washington University’s School of Medicine. He also has a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University.
Meyers said he would continue practicing internal medicine throughout the campaign.
“As a physician I have more direct experience in health care, and I’m interested in providing health care in an affordable way,” Meyers said.
Meyers supported Gov. Peter Shumlin’s effort on single-payer health care.
“Single payer has a lot of positives, but having been in private practice I do have some concern about how much that single payer will dictate how medicine is delivered,” he said.
Meyers said he has lived in Vermont full-time for three years, and that he previously lived in Alexandria, Virginia.
In a letter to Kathy Hall, chair of the Rutland County Democrats, Meyers said he began his campaign six weeks ago, and that he has visited hundreds of homes in communities around the state.
“I believe that having lived and worked for many years in Northern Virginia gives me a perspective which is valuable,” Meyers wrote. “In particular. I have watched Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe move aggressively to recruit businesses — both American and foreign — to Virginia.”
While Meyers is virtually unknown in the state, so is Democrat Brandon Riker, who has also announced a run for the state’s No. 2 political office. Republican Randy Brock announced his intention to run for the post last week.
Meyers described how he would work in the office should be elected, saying the goal of a lieutenant governor is “having an open door for Vermonters to bring their concerns and make sure the governor is aware of these issues.”
