Ayers, who submitted his formal resignation notice last week, said he wasn’t surprised that the GOP beat his own party to the punch.
“They’ve made it very clear, with the takeover of the Burlington GOP, that they’re looking to energize the party and make a more aggressive push to establish a Republican presence,” Ayers said.
In February, local Republicans elected new leaders who are pledging to reinvigorate the party by fielding more candidates for office in 2018, including mayor.
The party said Friday that Vince Dober, who served on the council from 2009 to 2013, will run in the special election to replace Ayers.
Alex Farrell, the newly elected Burlington GOP chair, said Dober is “a model for what we’re trying to do.” Though the party is recruiting new candidates, he said he’s pleased to have someone with a proven track record stepping into the Ward 7 race.
“Vince is someone who was putting Burlington first. That’s a cornerstone of what we’re trying to do,” Farrell said. Dober will prioritize issues that are central to Burlington Republicans, namely property tax relief and thoughtful development, he added.
According to Ayers, the open seat in Ward 7 is a logical place for Republicans to start their push. “It is generally accepted that the strongest base for the Burlington GOP is in Ward 7,” he said.
Dober has already racked up an important endorsement from City Councilor David Hartnett, D/R-North District.
“As a former city councilor, there will be no learning curve with Vince,” Hartnett said in a statement. “While on the council, Vince worked across party lines; I am happy to support his candidacy.”
With Richard Deane winning the East District seat in March, Democrats hold six seats on the 12-member council pending Ayers’ departure. However, that tally includes Hartnett, who was also on the ballot as a Republican and can’t be counted on to toe a party line. The only other Republican is Kurt Wright, representing Ward 4.
“Vince will be a tough opponent” for Democrats to defeat, Ayers said.
Fauna Hurley, chair of the Burlington Democratic Party, said the party is talking with several Ward 7 residents interested in serving on the council. The party is planning to hold a caucus in the coming weeks to decide whom to endorse, she said.
“The ideal candidate will have been active in the community and can continue to be a strong voice and advocate for the constituents of Ward 7, as Councilor Ayers did successfully for many years,” Hurley said.
Progressives currently hold three seats on the council.
Josh Wronski, executive director of the Progressive Party, said the party is looking at fielding a candidate as well. Wronski said he was not aware of a Progressive ever having represented Ward 7, but he said the ward has voted for Progressives in mayoral and statewide contests.
Ayers took a new job in Randolph as executive director of the Chandler Center for the Arts. He and his wife have already purchased a home in the area and are working on selling their Burlington residence, Ayers said.
The city charter requires a special election to be held within 90 days of when a councilor stops serving, said City Attorney Eileen Blackwood. Ayers said he expects his last day to be the council’s June 26 meeting.
It’s likely the city won’t need the full 90 days from when Ayers departs, because preparations can begin now, Blackwood said.
The city has begun discussing when to hold the special election, but Blackwood said she doesn’t expect officials to set a date until Chief Administrative Officer Bob Rusten returns from vacation next week.
