With Democratic Senator Sara Kittell announcing that she will not run again this year; and Randy Brock already out of the picture, Franklin County’s senate race is wide open. Former Democratic Senator Don Collins has already thrown his hat in the ring, and now Caroline Bright of Fletcher has announced as well for the Democratic party.
The 21-year old graduated yesterday from St. Mike’s and, fulfilling a long-standing ambition, announced her candidacy on the same day. A sorority alum who favors pearls and polished nails, Bright’s style appears a departure from the usual for young Vermont Democrats.
Republicans are fielding two candidates for the Senate as well: Norm McAllister of Highgate, a ten-year veteran of the House, and Joe Sinagra of St. Albans Town, a former housing industry lobbyist who now owns a bounce-house rental business. (How’s that for irony?)
Mr. McAllister is a goat farmer who distinguished himself this past session as the only member of the House Agriculture Committee to oppose labelling of genetically engineered food. He himself grows a GMO crop of corn, so it’s not surprising that he voted contrary to the majority opinion in Vermont.
Franklin County politics is definitely becoming a youth movement. Dynamic Franklin County Democratic Chair, Mike McCarthy is just 28 years old, and the St. Albans City Council now boasts a 25-year old Alderman from Ward 5, Ryan Doyle.
Of course the long-term commitment that comes with election to office must outlive the glamour of a brief campaign. There are persistent rumors about another of Franklin County’s “young turks,” Republican Rep. Dustin Degree of St. Albans City, who has just finished his first term and is looking for a second. It is said that he is not very good at showing up for committee meetings on which he is expected to serve. One has to wonder if, at twenty-five, he really was mature enough to make that commitment.
Limited experience isn’t necessarily a liability and can provide all of the advantages of an open and inquiring mind. What is essential is intelligence, curiosity, some humility…and excellent mentors.
I was pleased to read in Ms. Bright’s bio that, even though she did not grow up on a farm, she is particularly interested in agricultural issues and favors “diversification.” Let’s hope that she’ll avail herself of Sara Kittell’s vast reserve of experience in this area. If she does her homework well, perhaps Ms. Bright can make short work of Mr. McAllister.
According to her official bio, Ms. Bright has an impressive record of service over her brief career; and the public nature of some of her endeavors means that she has most certainly gained poise and political skills that will no doubt serve her well.
The temptation to underestimate her simply because she is a beauty queen will not be so great for her Republican challengers as it might have been had Sara Palin not stunned us all with her meteoric rise.
I have to admit, though, that my concern is more with her politics than her youth.
It is a little hard to avoid stereotypical assumptions about the strength of Ms. Bright’s progressive politics; but she apparently has some Democratic chops and I think we have to hope that, win or lose, as she finds her stride, she won’t be co-opted by the Blue Dogs of Franklin County.
Sue, I’m surprised at you! A female who has attained the age of legal majority is no longer a girl, but a woman. She was a sorority woman. And if she’s smart, she’s already applied for membership to the Franklin County Business and Professional Women.
NanuqFC
It certainly must have been a relief for the women of the country to realize that one could be a woman and a lady and yet be thoroughly political. ~ Agnes Meyer, journalist & social worker, in a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt, July 25, 1952
I think you’re being pretty presumptuous with your comments regarding Rep. Degree. His work for us here in this part of the county has been substantial. He’s been working to help fix the prescription drug problem since he got down there, and I think that work is very important, maybe you don’t understand it since you’re not very well up to date on issues that don’t concern you, but from my view in Franklin County, there’s little more important that fighting this problem. I’m not sure who you are to judge his maturity, since he had extensive experience in state government before he even got elected working for Governor Douglas. Hey Sue, just because you disagree with him is no reason to run him down. I wish the best to Ms. Bright, if she can represent the younger generation half as well as Dustin does, she’ll be ok.
I have been following Representative Degree for quite some time now, as he is my St. Albans City representative. And if you had read any of the legislative reports that he consistently has posted throughout the session, on his own page and in the St. Albans Messenger, you would know that he was appointed to a leadership position this year, working on reapportionment of legislative districts, caucus communications, and working on a very important piece of legislation concerning Health Care and prescription drugs. Anyone who understands anything about the legislature, understands that those serving in those positions typically don’t attend committee meetings. Stop trying to paint Dustin in a negative light when you truly don’t understand the issues at hand. Isn’t this the type of baseless attack that you so vehemently oppose, Sue? I agree with the above comment, LEAVE DUSTIN ALONE.
It amazes me at how you can disregard Representative Degree for his age, but support a recent graduate who is only 21 years old. Aside from being in a sorrority and a “Beauty Queen” as you say; what gives her credentials for such an important position, aside from a college degree (I have one and in it can probably be best used for toilet paper).
While Ms. Bright may have some spark and a career in politics, I think it’s safe to say that what she is trying to acheive through commmunity service through her sorority is a little nieve. If Bright wants a future in politics; she should be involved with politics like Representative Degree has been. Just look at his Bio
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D…
Representative Degree came to my door steps approximatly two years ago and persuaded me to vote for him, because of his experience. While he was only 25 at the time, he had worked on several state wide campaigns, worked for Govenor Douglas, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and as a political reporter for MTV news.
As others have commented about Rep. Degree’s legislative updates through the messenger and social media; I would have to say he is more than committed.
I respect people supporting young advocates for politics, but they can’t be wet behind the ears when they are attempting such feats.
Furthermore I think it’s BS that you are making negative remarks in regards to businesses that people own.
Caroline is young; she is also smart, articulate, and hard-working. Her involvement with her sorority and the Miss Vermont pageant are simply evidence of her passion for making our world a better place; she has gained more experience in more arenas than a lot of us who are twice her age. I’m proud of her and of all the young people in Franklin County who are dedicating themselves to the community, and I’ll vote for her.
I think this is ample evidence that Ms. Bright’s candidacy will invite new voices to that conversation.
Hey Sue, I think is pretty petty for you to be talking about a senate race and bringing in Rep. Degree. Dustin is one of the few legislators I know, and I know plenty, who works constantly, even when they’re not in session. Where were you when Dustin was organizing a food drive with local businesses and schools for the victims of Irene? Did you donate? Did you offer to help load the trucks? Lay off here Sue. Dustin is a great young leader in our community and he’s here to stay. I’m happy I’ll get to cast my vote for him this year, since I’m in the part of town that he WILL represent this Jan!.
Youth and energy! I’m so glad Caroline stepped up in what’s going to be an interesting election cycle. I hope her example encourages other folks in Franklin County and Vermont, young or not-so-young, to become engaged and serve their communities.
I’m a Vermonter through and through and while I believe that many Vermonters are far too entrenched in voting for what they’re used to, I take great offense to this misinformed swipe at Rep. Dustin Degree.
To insinuate that a candidate who has never tested the political waters is somehow more fit to hold office than one who began working for the governor before the age of 24 shows, in my opinion, a complete lack of common sense.
I know Gov. Jim Douglas and he is an excellent judge of character. He would not have hired Rep. Degree had he not fully trusted his abilities and ethics.
I’ve personally known Dustin for years. I’m not currently a St. Albans resident since I’m working overseas but I saw him knock on hundreds of doors during his campaign, stand out in the pouring rain waving signs, and I know for a fact that he works every day to make Vermont a better place. When the House is in session, Dustin is there. When the session adjourns, he’s already thinking about the next session and drafting numerous plans, making phone calls and continuously working for the people of St. Albans City and Vermont. House members in leadership positions don’t attend committee meetings, Sue, I’m not sure where you heard otherwise, but that’s just how it works. We are lucky to have such a committed Representative.
I think what you’re seeing here is the level of support he has. I would venture a guess that most of the posters here are pretty young. It seems to me that you’ve struck a chord with them. Dustin is OUR legislator. He’s of our generation and understands the problems we face better than you could ever imagine. Don’t questoion his maturity or his work ethic; it’s poor form. Dustin has my support, and it looks like he has the support of many others as well.
It’s not about “holding Rep. Degree” accountable, because you haven’t done that here. You pointed out that he missed a committee meeting and then questioned his maturity in your following point without providing context. Do the 30+ reps never miss committee meetings? If a 30+ rep missed a comittee meeting, would that be a sign of immaturity? Probably depends on where they were right? Is that you heard Rep. Degree missed a committee meeting once really a substantial piece of evidence of immaturity?
It’s the equivalent of saying someone is a bad employee because they took some sick days without providing any context as to what the average employee does or what he/she was entitled to take, or how sick they actually were.
So, the attack on Rep. Degree wasn’t about age or performance or accountability it was about the fact that he is a Republican and you dislike Republicans so much you’ll find any reason available to criticize them. And the fact of the matter is Rep. Degree has been highly visible and accountable to his constituents and remains popular with them, which, to my way of thinking, is a pretty solid sign of maturity.