MONTPELIER — Gov. Phil Scott swore in Susanne Young as Vermont’s first female attorney general Tuesday, following the departure of former Attorney General TJ Donovan partway through his term.
Young, a former deputy attorney general and secretary of administration who was appointed only a few months into her intended retirement from public service, told VTDigger she had no plans to enter the race for the office this year.
Still, she said, she is honored to serve out the remainder of the term and plans to prioritize the core elements of the attorney general’s work.
“First and foremost, the attorney general has an obligation as chief law enforcement officer to ensure the public’s safety, and I will work to support the office in that mission,” Young said in remarks at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
She emphasized the importance of the criminal justice system and the Department for Children and Families in protecting Vermont’s children, as well as the importance of the office’s Consumer Protection Division for its work in holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for their roles in perpetuating the opioid crisis.
Young also pointed to the protection of civil liberties, including “a woman’s right to reproductive health of her choice,” as a priority. Abortion rights are protected in Vermont law and could soon be enshrined in the state constitution, but federally, the legal landscape is shifting following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Scott’s decision to appoint his former secretary of administration, announced days after Donovan’s departure to start work at the gaming company Roblox, drew criticism from the Democratic Attorneys General Association, the Vermont Democratic Party and both Democratic candidates vying for the position in the upcoming primary election. Chief Deputy Attorney General Joshua Diamond was set to complete the term if Scott had not decided to fill the vacancy.
Donovan had emphasized his confidence in Diamond’s capabilities when he announced his early departure. Still, Diamond — who had led the office for only two days before Scott announced Young’s appointment — congratulated Young on her appointment in a statement on June 22.
On Tuesday, Scott said he “(didn’t) believe there is anyone more fitting to take up this unique challenge,” calling Young “dedicated to public service and the people of Vermont.”
Young began her career more than 40 years ago as a staff attorney in the Attorney General’s Office upon graduating from Vermont Law School. She went on to serve as counsel for Jim Douglas during his time as state treasurer and governor, and she returned to the Attorney General’s office in 2012 to serve as a deputy attorney general under Bill Sorrell. She served as Scott’s secretary of administration from 2017 until her retirement in November 2021.
“It wasn’t easy for me to see her leave the administration and enter into a well deserved retirement,” Scott said Tuesday. “I’m surprised but grateful she was willing to answer my call.”
Sorrell also spoke at the ceremony, saying he believed Young was a wise choice for the role.
The Democratic former attorney general noted the criticisms from “persons of prominence in the Democratic Party” for the fact that Scott appointed Young, “rather than a Democrat,” to the attorney general’s position. Governors traditionally appoint a member of the same party as the departing office holder when filling a vacancy.
However, Sorrell contended that the office of attorney general is “not really a political office.” He also referred to his own rise to the position as precedent.
“When our Republican AG Jeffrey Amestoy resigned from office, Governor Howard Dean appointed a Democrat,” Sorrell said, referring to himself. “I wasn’t agreeing just to fill in the remaining six-month term. I fully intended to run — and I served the rest of that term and ran nine more times. Susanne, your six months is going to be great.”
