“With new leadership and a new vision, Vermont’s future can be so much brighter,” said Jeff Bartley, the executive director of the Vermont GOP. “We’ll take this opportunity to celebrate Vermont Republicans and showcase our 2016 candidates and our legislative leaders who are working so hard to make Vermont a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family.”
The event, entitled “The Future is Bright: A Rally for an Affordable Vermont,” is scheduled for Jan. 14 at Barre City Auditorium. The guests will include Republican gubernatorial candidates Phil Scott and Bruce Lisman, as well as Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate Randy Brock.
“It’s a rally to give a venue for Vermont Republicans to hear in one place and at one time from our legislative leaders and statewide candidates,” said GOP Chairman Dave Sunderland.
While the message of the event is affordability, ticket prices are steep. An early bird ticket promotion offers tickets for $50, while the “Dwight D. Eisenhower” ticket package, which includes multiple tickets and drink vouchers, is priced at $2,000.
Sunderland said the base price of $50 is reasonable “in comparison to other fundraisers from both parties.”
The fundraiser appears to be aimed chiefly at bolstering the campaign coffers of the state party, which is struggling to raise money. Recent financial reports submitted to state and federal agencies show Republicans have around $20,000 cash on hand, while Democrats have roughly $100,000.
Sunderland said the GOP had not set goals for fundraising or attendance.
In November, party treasurer Debra Ricker said the party would boost its finances with a December fundraiser hosted in Montpelier. Sunderland said the Barre event, scheduled for January, is the year-end event.
“We found it more palatable to people to do it after the holidays,” Sunderland said.
The state GOP also announced a yearlong initiative on Monday called “The Year of the Veteran.” Party officials said they planned to recognize and thank Veterans for their service at each party event throughout the election season.
Organizers asked attendees to the January event to bring a gift to be donated to a local veterans organization.
Asked if the January fundraiser would have the same flash as Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Scott’s kickoff event earlier this month, Sunderland laughed.
“I dont think it will be flashy,” he said. “It will be nice, it will be fun, it will be energetic.”
