Randy Brock, who ran for governor against Peter Shumlin in 2012, will not run for governor this year. He said, "I believe that this is the right decision for me and my family." The former state senator from Franklin County was the highest profile name being floated as a possible opponent to Governor Shumlin, who will seek a third term in November.
When he ran for governor in 2012, Brock focused on Shumlin's health care initiative and opposed the governor's effort to bring a single-payer plan to Vermont in 2017. Shumlin defeated Brock 58 percent to 38 percent. Despite the on-going problems with the interim Exchange plan, Vermont Health Connect, and the potential political damage that's been done to the governor because of it, the GOP has failed to sign up a candidate who can bring significant expertise, charisma and money to the race. Stowe Representative Heidi Scheuermann also decided against a run earlier this spring. Travel industry executive Scott Milne is still considering a run.
In making his decision, Brock did not cite any issues or mention the governor.
“This will be the first time in over ten years that my name will not be on the ballot. I will miss the excitement of the campaign trail, the joy of meeting hundreds of new friends every year, the challenge of formulating public policy and the satisfaction of having played a small part in improving the lives and livelihoods of thousands of our citizens," Brock said.
Along with being a state senator, Brock was Vermont's Auditor of Accounts from 2005-2007. He defeated incumbent Democrat Liz Ready, but two years later lost in a recount to Tom Salmon.
After serving as auditor and winning a Senate seat, Brock joined then Senator Shumlin in opposing the relicensing of Vermont Yankee, after executives of the nuclear power plant made inaccurate statements before the Public Service Board.
Prior to entering public service in Vermont, he served as executive vice president for risk oversight for Fidelity Investments, one of the world’s largest providers of financial services.
A Vietnam veteran and a captain in the Military Police Corps, he received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and the Army Commendation Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster.
He holds a BA from Middlebury College and earned a master's from Yale University.
Randy Brock Statement June 8, 2014
“I will not be a candidate for Governor of Vermont in 2014.
“This decision has not been easy to reach. I have arrived at it over several months after careful thought, much input and serious deliberation.
“This will be the first time in over ten years that my name will not be on the ballot. I will miss the excitement of the campaign trail, the joy of meeting hundreds of new friends every year, the challenge of formulating public policy and the satisfaction of having played a small part in improving the lives and livelihoods of thousands of our citizens. But I believe that this is the right decision for me and my family.
“I am thankful to the many Vermonters who have called upon me to run. I have heard from people from all over our state offering words of encouragement. This outpouring of support from so many has been extremely heartening and I will always be grateful for their unwavering loyalty.
“Just as I have in the past, I will continue to remain actively involved in helping to shape public policy. I plan to continue to contribute to the debate through critical analysis and commentary. We all have a great deal to do to help improve our state and to better the lives of every Vermonter. My commitment to those ends remains unchanged.”