Welcome to the VT Republican Party, John Rodgers!
Lifelong Dem says his old party taken over by Progressives/socialists.
John Rodgers was a lifelong Vermont Democrat. He represented his Northeast Kingdom district in the House as a Democrat from 2009-2010, and then served four terms in the state Senate as a Democrat until January 2021. In 2018 he ran a write-in campaign for governor in the Democratic primary. On Wednesday, May 22, Rogers announced he’s up for another run, this time for Lieutenant Governor – but as a Republican.
Rodgers had some scathing remarks for his former colleagues on his way out the door. Announcing his candidacy and the reasons for it on WVMT’s Morning Drive (Quick plug: I’ll be on myself Wednesday May 29, 8-9 am!), Rodgers said, “The legislature [controlled by Democrats] seems to be operating in a bubble. They’re not communicating with their constituents, and they don’t seem to get how hard it is to make a living in this state right now for most of the working-class people.”
Rodgers brought receipts! “Over the last two years they have increased property taxes, fees, electric bills, fuel bills. Double digit increases in a lot of them! Nobody’s pay is going up that fast. We’re getting squeezed harder and harder…. They’re just squeezing the working class, and for no real reason.”
Rodgers accused Vermont Democrats of wasting their time on boutique, ideologically driven issues that “make them look good in lights, but on the ground, they’re not affecting change.” He used the example of the Senate’s Progressive Democrat leader’s pushing “ghost gun” legislation while completely ignoring the rampant crime – and the underlying reasons for it – in Burlington that is spreading through the rest of Vermont.
“I’ve never heard of a problem with ‘ghost guns,’” said Rodgers. “But we have serious violence problems in Vermont that need to be addressed. How about we spend time addressing the problems.”
He summed up his reasons for switching parties, “I feel closer aligned with Phil Scott than I do with the Socialist, Progressive Party that used to be called the Democratic Party of Vermont.” Snap!
Of course, this is what Vermont Republicans have been saying for many, many years now, but it is an important development that a center/left Democrat is now sounding the alarm, rejecting the far-left policies, and pointing out in vivid terms the damage those policies and the people pushing them are to normal, working people. If Rodgers is feeling this way, probably a lot of center-left, grassroots, traditional Democrat voters are feeling this way too. A Republican Rodgers gives them an example and a leader to follow out of the darkness.
In fact, Rodgers has put together a pretty respectable and energized coalition of hunters and trappers, farmers, environmentalists, blue collar workers, and, frankly, just ticked off taxpayers, spanning the political spectrum. He organized, along with some others, two rallies at the State House in May that brought a diverse crowd of 300-ish and 100-ish respectively, all united in our (I say our because I was at both) frustration with the high-tax, recklessly-spend, get-no-results reality that comes with the current Democrat/Progressive supermajority.
Rodgers still has to win a Republican primary against Greg Thayer of Rutland. Whichever way that goes, I hope Vermont Republicans will welcome Rodgers and his followers with open arms. Welcome to the Party. The water’s warm! And so will your house be in future winters if we can all work together to kill the Clean Heat Standard by un-electing enough of these kooks this November.
I’ll finish up here with this observation and advice from John Rodgers, “I think the majority of Vermonters are largely uninformed about what their own legislators are doing, and that’s one of the things we need to get out there. Make sure before you vote for anybody that you are checking their record. Did they vote for higher taxes? Did they vote for higher fees? Did they vote for higher electric costs and fuel costs? The majority of them in the legislature did!”
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Scott Vetoes Renewable Energy Standard Bill
Speaking of voting for higher electric costs, Governor Scott vetoed the Renewable Energy Standard Bill, H.289. GOOD! It would add an estimated $400 million to $1 billion of added cost to Vermonters’ electric bills over the next ten years for zero climate benefit. It’s a crony-socialist wealth transfer from electric ratepayers to Democrat Party donors in the renewable energy business. This veto needs to be sustained, but the Roll Call numbers on House and Senate Passage are VERY close, but leaning toward override.
Democrats in both chambers need to hear from constituents to CHANGE THEIR POSITION on the Renewable Energy Standard bill, and vote for Affordability for Vermonters over fringe-left ideology and cronyism.
You can find your Representatives’ and Senators’ contact info HERE.
Rob Roper is a freelance writer with 20 years of experience in Vermont politics including three years service as chair of the Vermont Republican Party and nine years as President of the Ethan Allen Institute, Vermont’s free market think tank.
Media Notes: Rob Roper will be on WVMT’s Morning Drive on Wednesday, May 29, 8 - 9 am. Tune in at 620AM, 96.3FM, or streaming HERE.
Events: Rob Roper will be speaking at the Vermont Fuel Dealers Energy Conference on Wednesday, May 29, 7pm-ish, following dinner.