Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe, who has carved out a reputation as a moderate but outspoken Republican, is bowing out from the state House of Representatives after representing Stowe for nearly 16 years.
In a written statement Tuesday announcing her departure, Scheuermann said her legislative accomplishments during her eight terms in office were made possible “by working with people from across the political spectrum to advance the interests of the people of Stowe and of Vermont.”
In an interview Tuesday with VTDigger, she said she is “exceptionally” worried about the rising temperature of political partisanship across the country, which she said is no longer limited to just Washington, D.C. The divisiveness is palpable in state legislatures and “Vermont is no exception,” she said.
“The extremes on either side seem to be getting larger and larger. Therefore, the gap in the middle seems to be getting wider and wider,” she said. “I am exceptionally worried about that. … I’m very concerned about what might happen and what kind of policy will be developed as a result.”
As the state candidate filing deadline draws near, and Vermont’s new legislative district map is set in stone, ’tis the season for lawmakers to announce their reelection plans, or lack thereof.
Scheuermann has faced several Democratic challenges over her years in office, but has prevailed. Scheurmann told VTDigger on Tuesday that, while she was “extremely disappointed” with how Stowe was chopped up in the updated House map, this year’s reapportionment “didn’t have anything to do with (her) decision.”
Instead, she said her decision to walk away was a personal one. She hopes to spend more time dedicated to her residential and commercial property management business and her family.
