John Walters is a political columnist for VTDigger.
Brenda Siegel stood before some 15 people in a church social hall straight out of central casting — complete with linoleum floor, drop ceiling and fluorescent lights, and explained why she wants to be Vermont’s next lieutenant governor.
“I have tried to tell my story in the Statehouse, and felt I was not being heard,” Siegel said. “When people who are closest to our problems have a seat at the table, real solutions emerge.”
Siegel, an arts administrator and single mother, unflinchingly relates her struggles with poverty — and her family’s struggles with opiates. Her brother and her nephew both died of heroin overdoses. She sees her life story not as a drawback, but a credential. And she can point to her own political success as proof: As a relative unknown who entered the 2018 gubernatorial campaign very late, she garnered 21% of the vote in the Democratic primary.
Last Wednesday, Siegel took her 2020 campaign to a meeting of the Bennington chapter of Rights & Democracy, the progressive advocacy group, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. She made a thoroughly progressive pitch: Single-payer health care, a $15 per hour minimum wage, a full paid family leave program, stronger treatment and prevention efforts to combat the opiate crisis, and an economy “built from the ground up.”
The Newfane resident also made a southern-themed plea. “It’s important to have people in [statewide] office from down here,” she said. Vermont’s six statewide officeholders are all from Chittenden or Washington counties; Siegel’s primary opponents all hail from Chittenden County.
A total of four candidates entered the race following the decision of two-term incumbent Progressive/Democrat David Zuckerman to run for governor. The winner of the Aug. 11 primary will almost certainly be the heavy favorite in the November election. (The Republican primary features political consultant Meg Hansen of Manchester, construction engineer Dwayne Tucker of Barre and Dana Colson of Tunbridge, who owns a welding supply company.)
The least surprising entrant of the four is Senate President Pro Tempore Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden. He’s been the top vote-getter in his county’s last four state Senate elections, and was widely seen as having higher ambitions. Also, his office has served as a launchpad for the gubernatorial campaign of former Gov. Peter Shumlin and the first congressional bid by U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt.
Ashe’s post can also be an obstacle. He has barely begun to campaign. ”I’m operating in the Senate president role,” Ashe said. “That may put me at a disadvantage, but it’s not appropriate for me to be actively campaigning at this time.”
Ashe has begun making fundraising calls, but otherwise has done little to advance his cause. And he’s very careful to avoid any appearance of conflict. “I make it clear when I take one hat off and put on the other,” Ashe said. “There are no discussions [of the candidacy] in my office, and no pressure is put on anyone.”
The candidacy of Sen. Debbie Ingram, D-Chittenden, was much more unexpected. Ingram has never been the most outspoken of senators, but she can claim broad recognition in other areas. As the executive director of the Vermont Interfaith Council and an ordained minister in the United Churches of Christ, she’s well-known in religious circles. “I’ve preached at a lot of those churches,” she said. “I’ve met lots and lots of people that way.”
A surprising political plus has emerged from the lowest point in Ingram’s public life: Her 2017 arrest for drunk driving. “I got a lot of response from Vermonters who’ve faced addiction and recovery or have a loved one who’s been affected,” Ingram said. “It turned out to be a positive.”
Ingram spent Town Meeting week getting the basics in place — website, logo, lawn signs, making contact with local and county Democratic organizations. But she’s barely begun compared with Siegel and the fourth candidate, Assistant Attorney General Molly Gray. On Monday, Gray announced the hiring of Hancock resident Samantha Sheehan as her campaign manager, and Siegel is set to hire a campaign manager and field organizer within days. (Sheehan owns Valley.Works, a coworking space in Waitsfield, and formerly ran communications for Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.)
Gray was a political unknown when she entered the race less than six weeks ago, but she’s off to a very strong start. She has snagged some prominent endorsees, including former Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George and top Democratic donor Jane Stetson.
The 36-year-old Gray highlights the needs of young people in her campaign pitch. “Vermont has so much to offer. There are so many stories to tell,” Gray said. What she calls “the rebranding of Vermont for the 21st Century” includes creating a green economy, capitalizing on the state’s reputation for quality food production, enacting a mandatory paid family leave program, and addressing the debt burden carried by so many college graduates — including herself.
It’s important to note that Gray isn’t the only young person in the campaign, at least not by political standards. Ashe and Siegel are both 43.
Gray’s candidacy may be weighed down by her day job. Attorney General TJ Donovan has been involved in controversies that could drive a wedge between himself and many primary voters. He’s been criticized for his inaction in the racial harassment targeting former state representative Kiah Morris; for consistently clearing police officers involved in shootings or other violent encounters; and for defending the state against media organizations seeking access to public records.
Gray’s employment bars her from stating her own positions on those issues. “All questions about the office should be referred to the office,” she said. When specifically asked about incidents of police violence, a distressed look crossed her face. “I can’t comment,” she said. “I will, but I can’t now.”
If her campaign continues to progress, Gray will take a leave from her job. At that point, she may feel free to stake out her own positions on issues of law and justice. Until then, she will have to uncomfortably decline to comment.
The most consequential August primary will be the Democratic race for governor, featuring Zuckerman, former education secretary Rebecca Holcombe and Bennington attorney Patrick Winburn. But the most interesting contest may be the primary for lieutenant governor. The four candidates have different backgrounds and strengths, but all are credible. Three are under 50, and three are women. As the race began, Ashe appeared to be the favorite. But at this point, it’s not hard to construct a winning scenario for each of the four. The office may be low on power and influence, but the campaign is one to watch.
