Shap Smith has announced that he will not run for Attorney General. Instead, he’ll seek re-election to the House and another term as Speaker.
After careful consideration and valuable conversations with many Vermonters from around the state, I have decided to seek reelection as state representative, and if elected, will ask my colleagues to support me once again to lead them as Speaker of the House. I see many opportunities to build a stronger Vermont by enhancing our education, tax, and healthcare systems, and I believe I can make the greatest positive impact in those areas as Speaker of the House.
My four years as Speaker have been the most challenging, yet fulfilling years of my time in state government. We have made great progress in many areas: guiding the state out of a deep recession, building the infrastructure necessary for a strong economy, bringing civil rights to all Vermonters by passing marriage equality, and recovering from a devastating natural disaster. There is still work to be done and I hope to remain in the legislature to see it through.
This leaves a two-way Dem primary between incumbent Bill Sorrell and Chittenden County State’s Attorney TJ Donovan. Last week, Donovan announced his campaign team. Don’t know if that scared Shap off; probably not. More likely, a lot of those many Vermonters told him it’d be a waste of talent for the Dems to have two good young candidates going for the same office. And, all things considered, he’s a pretty good Speaker. Not that I agree with him 100%, but he does keep things running.
And now, on to the primary…
Which shows why we need him in the House – enough good sense balancing ego and ambition.
Good choice, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
NanuqFC
Delayed gratification is a sign of maturity. ~ Anonymous
I am glad to hear this, Shap told me at town meeting that the Leg was going to take up marijuana decrim next year, I don’t want to shake up the personnel too much…
The only thing that Shap would have accomplished by running would have been to guarantee Bill Sorrell’s reelection, proving that it is not only third-party candidates that qualify for the “spoiler” tag. This decision keeps Smith’s talents where he’s needed, in the House, and preserves his statewide image for a future run.