Gov. Phil Scott has not announced whether he will run for reelection, but Friday the group “A Stronger Vermont” — a political action committee backed by the Republican Governors Association — released a digital ad lauding Scott’s response to the novel coronavirus.
In a statement, the Republican Governors Association said the video, which is running on Facebook, features news coverage of Scott’s “strong leadership and bold actions” since the governor declared a state of emergency in mid-March to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RGA’s statement also links to a recent Seven Days article which outlines the approach the Scott administration has taken during the crisis, which has included a stay at home order and shutting down the state economy to combat the spread of the infection and ensure there is capacity in hospitals.
The RGA calls Scott’s approach to the crisis a “collaborative and effective response” and highlights that he authorized the distribution of $1,200 checks to people who had their unemployment insurance claims delayed by the overload in the system.
“Governor Scott’s common sense, bipartisan leadership is bringing Vermonters together to get through this pivotal moment in history and emerge ever stronger,” Amelia Chassé Alcivar, the RGA communications director, said in a statement.
“His ability to act decisively, communicate clearly, and govern effectively is paving the way to a safe and speedy recovery,” she added.
The RGA-backed ad for Scott is part of a larger digital campaign focused on emphasizing how Republican governors have dealt with the coronavirus across the country.
There are similar ads for Govs. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Jim Justice of West Virginia, Mike Parson of Missouri, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, and Doug Burgum of North Dakota.
During Scott’s press briefing Friday, the governor said he had not seen the ad nor had he been in contact with the RGA or A Stronger Vermont.
“I don’t interact with anyone, we can’t coordinate — it’s nothing that I have anything to do with,” he said. “It’s out of my control.”
A VTDigger reporter was stopped from completing a question about the governor’s reelection announcement plans when his spokesperson, Rebecca Kelley, said the press conference was a Covid-19 update and other reporters were waiting.
She later allowed the follow-up question when the other reporters were done.
Scott, who was expected to announce his plans at the end of the legislative session, said he had not thought about a new timeline for when he might announce.
“It’s probably been the last thing on my mind — I got a lot on my plate as you might imagine these days and so that that hasn’t been something that I’ve been considering,” Scott said. He noted past legislative sessions have stretched into the summer so he could still make the timeline he originally laid out.
The digital ad by the RGA, however, is the latest evidence that a campaign effort is in the works.
In Feb. 2020, the RGA gave $100,000 to A Stronger Vermont, according to its campaign finance disclosure. In 2018, the PAC spent nearly $700,000 on Scott’s behalf — largely on television and online advertisements.
Scott’s campaign account, which had a surplus of $106,000 from the last election cycle, has spent $77,000 since July.
The popular Republican governor has raised just under $52,000 since July, and received donations from 275 contributors. Scott, however, began quietly fundraising in November, when he sent out a letter to donors.
Assuming Scott decides to run, he is likely to face either former Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe or Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive/Democrat, both of whom are vying for the Democratic Party nomination.
However, the social distancing and self-quarantine orders have added a level of complexity to campaigning efforts, with both candidates turning to virtual events and forums.
Meanwhile Scott, who has consistently polled as one of the more popular governors in the U.S., has been holding three press conferences a week and has been generally praised by both Democrats and Republicans for how he has handled the crisis.
Anne Wallace Allen contributed reporting.
