More than a year ahead of Vermont’s 2022 general election, Lt. Gov. Molly Gray appears to be the only state leader who is actively fundraising, according to state campaign finance filings made public July 1.
The filings show that Gov. Phil Scott and Attorney General TJ Donovan have each raised about $2,500 since December. State Treasurer Beth Pearce raised $50, while State Auditor Doug Hoffer and Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos reported zero campaign cash.
In comparison, Gray’s filings show she has raised $50,000 in the last six months.
The lieutenant governor has received funds from 167 donors, including 148 contributors who gave $100 or less.
Her largest donors include Vermont renewable energy entrepreneur David Blittersdorf, who gave the maximum amount, $4,160; Win Smith, the former owner of Sugarbush Resort, who donated $2,000; and Burlington real estate developer Ernie Pomerleau, who gave $2,000.
Gray has also hired a staffer, Liz Brown, who serves as a political adviser.
Seven Days first reported on Brown’s hiring in March, noting that it “may be unprecedented” for a statewide political office holder in Vermont to hire campaign staff in the first months of a new term.
While Gray is widely believed to be eying a congressional seat in the event one opens up next year, she says she is now only focused on serving as lieutenant governor.
In an interview, Gray said that she’s raised money and hired Brown so she can maintain the campaign “infrastructure” she built during her 2020 run.
That includes her campaign website and email lists. In addition to fundraising, Brown is responsible for managing Gray’s contact with political organizations including the Vermont Democratic Party— “which frees me up to focus 100% on being lieutenant governor,” Gray said.
The lieutenant governor said that should she seek reelection, “it’s important to have an infrastructure in place.”
“And that’s what this is for: making sure that we have the ability to stay connected to Vermonters, to stay connected to the folks who helped get me elected,” Gray said.
The July 1 campaign finance disclosure forms will offer the only glimpse into Vermont’s political fundraising this year.
The next round of campaign disclosures won’t come due until March of 2022, eight months before the November 2022 election.
While Scott has only raised about $2,500 since December, his campaign filing shows he has a surplus of $272,200 left over from his last campaign. AT&T was Scott’s largest donor this year, giving the governor $2,000 in February.
Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, D-Windham, who has said she’s “definitely considering” a congressional run if a seat opens up next year, has raised $800 in recent months.
She has a surplus of about $10,000 from her last campaign. House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, hasn’t raised any campaign funds for the upcoming election cycle.
The filings also show the Vermont Democratic Party has brought in $62,000 since December, and the Vermont Republican Party has raised about $3,400.
