AT LEAST SIX LOCAL LEGISLATORS WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
By Gregory J. Lamoureux
County Courier
When the Legislature adjourned last week, there were at least five legislators from the Franklin County delegation that will not be returning, at least in the same fashion next year and of course, the November election could increase that number.
Senator Corey Parent (R) of St. Albans made the announcement over the weekend that he would not seek re-election. Parent had spent four years in the House of Representatives, and another four years as one of Franklin County’s two Senators.
“After months of conversation and thoughts, I have decided that I will not be seeking another term in the Vermont Senate. Watching how fast my kids are growing and not wanting to miss another moment of that has led me to this decision,” Parent said in a written statement.
Parent served as the Clerk for the Agriculture Committee, as well as the vice-chair of the Joint Pension Oversight Committee. He was also assigned to eight other committees, including the Senate Committee on Institutions.
A St. Albans native, Parent earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and government from St. Lawrence University. He is employed full time with the Town of St. Albans as their Director of Operations and Special Projects.
“I want to thank all of you who have supported me over the years and those who invited me into your homes and businesses to share your ideas for a better Vermont. I did my best to represent them. Serving as the State Representative for St. Albans and as Franklin County and Alburgh’s State Senator has been the honor of my lifetime,” Parent said. “I find beauty that in our form of self-governance ordinary people step up to serve in our timeless institutions and for a moment in time do their best to make an impact and then pass the responsibility on. I will continue in public service through my work on local boards and soon on the hockey rink and local little league fields again.”
Longtime political figure and Franklin County’s senior Senator Randy Brock has yet to make an announcement on if he is or is not running for re-election.
Former Franklin County Sheriff and current House Representative Robert Norris also had a big announcement. The former Sheriff, turned State Representative, will not be seeking re-election to his House seat, where he represented Sheldon and Swanton; instead, Norris is seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Parent.
Norris made the announcement on social media with a photo of his grandchildren holding handmade signs that said “Vote Papa” and “For State Senate.”
Fairfax State Representative Barbara Murphy (I), announced her departure and retirement from the People’s House. She had served since January of 2015 when she took over from John Mitchell (R). Murphy also served over the years in Fairfax on the School Board, Fairfax Rescue Squad, and the Fairfax Development Review Board.
Republican leader Patty McCoy of Poultney announced the departure of three other local representatives during a farewell address at the statehouse on Thursday.
“I want to thank the most important people in our lives, our families, extended families, and friends who put up with us as we commit to doing our jobs as public servants, it is not always easy. It’s demanding at times so on behalf of all of us, I wish to publicly thank our home base those people who we lean on and depend on on a day-to-day basis for making our jobs a bit easier knowing we have their support I want to thank those members in [the Republican] caucus who are saying goodbye to their public service life, to this great state of ours after your years of service. On behalf of all of us, I wish to thank you for your service and a job well done.
McCoy went on to announce that of Felisha Leffler (R), of Enosburgh and Carl Rosenquist (R), of Georgia, and Leland Morgan (R) of Milton would also not be seeking re-election this fall.
Leffler represented Enosburgh and Montgomery for two terms in the House, being assigned to the Institutions and corrections committee for the first term, and the Judiciary committee for her second term.
Rosenquist was elected by Georgia voters to represent them in Montpelier during the 2016 election, taking the seat of outgoing House Rep. Carolyn Branagan. He has since served on the House Human Services Committee. Rosenquist is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He later went on to be the managing director at Wyeth Nutritionals in Georgia, Vermont.
“I wanted you to know that it has been my privilege and honor to represent you in Montpelier for the last six years. Your trust, confidence, and support have meant the world to me as we sorted through the thorny issues presented before us. I have always tried to represent you and your values when making decisions on each of the bills that were put before us,” Rosenquist wrote in his announcement, “I will miss the legislative friendships made, the give and take of committee and floor debates, and the analysis of each bill’s value to the most Vermonters. I think it is time for me to stand down at the end of this year and let someone else bring their values and ideas to Montpelier as they represent us in the newly formed two-member district in January,”
Leland Morgan, who represents West Milton and Grand Isle County is also not going to seek re-election, according to McCoy.
“Thank you for your many years of service, and I wish all of you the best as you turn the page to a new chapter in your lives,” McCoy said in her all House farewell Thursday.
Although McCoy does not share a party with Fairfax Representative Barbara Murphy, she also had a few points to share on her departure.
“A very special thanks to my roommate, Representative Barbara Murphy of Fairfax. I don’t think you know how much I depended on you for your advice, guidance, and a whole lot of laughs,” McCoy said, holding back tears, “Thank you for eight years of support. I will miss you dearly.”
Although not in Montpelier, another change for voters in Franklin County will be in the office of the Franklin County Sheriff. One term Sheriff Roger Langevin announced last week that he would not be seeking re-election, instead he is endorsing his right-hand man, Captain John Grismore. It is unclear at this time if Grismore will have any opposition to that seat.
Candidates who wish to run for office in Vermont, and be part of a major party, are required to file for candidacy no later than May 26th. According to the Secretary of State’s website, there were only two Franklin County candidates who have filed their petition to run for office- Vaughn Comeau, to be reelected for Probate Judge, and Roberta Allard for High Bailiff.
Editor’s Note: The author of this article, Gregory J. Lamoureux, and Representative Felisha Leffler had previously been in a long-term relationship.
