Vermont Business Magazine According to the Dunne Campaign, Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for governor, has received endorsements from more than six dozen current, former and future state legislators, including dozens of people Matt served with during the eleven years he spent in the House and Senate. Matt announced the endorsements at a press conference at the State House, where he was joined by many of the individuals backing his campaign for governor.
“I am so humbled by the outpouring of support we’ve received this week, but this is about much more than our campaign,” said Matt Dunne, Democratic candidate for Governor. “This is a movement of people who are energized and ready to work hard for the progressive values that will make Vermont stronger: raising the minimum wage to a living wage, universal healthcare and banning corporate money from our elections.”
Last week's announcement is the third in a series of endorsements Matt has received this week, building out a growing roster of support from past, current and future state legislators. On Tuesday, he was endorsed by dozens of former state legislators. On Wednesday, current candidates -- future legislators -- endorsed Matt for governor.
Matt was endorsed by:
Senate Majority Leader Phil Baruth, Chittenden County
Senator Dick McCormack, Windsor County
Senator Mark McDonald, Orange County
Representative John Bartholomew, Hartland
Representative Steve Berry, Manchester
Representative Tim Brigland, Thetford
Representative Robin Chestnut-Tangerman, Middletown Springs
Representative Kevin “Coach” Christie, Hartford
Representative Alison Clarkson, Woodstock
Representative Dan Connor, Fairfield
Representative Susan Hatch Davis, Washington
Representative Bill Frank, Underhill
Representative Gabrielle Lucke, White River Junction
Representative Barbara Rachelson, Burlington
Representative Donna Sweaney, Windsor
Representative Tommy Walz, Barre
Representative Sam Young, Glover
Representative Teo Zagar, Barnard
“This is a special moment in Vermont’s history. Bernie Sanders started a movement that has brought new voices into the process, people are empowered and they will be voting -- and voting for a progressive vision that will move our state forward. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of public servants to make that vision a reality,” Matt said.
Previously, Matt was endorsed by:
Former State Senators:
Mary Ann Carlson from Bennington County
Matt Choate from Caledonia County
Don Collins from Franklin County
Hinda Miller from Chittenden County
Cheryl Rivers from Windsor County
Judith Stephany Ahearn from Chittenden County
Former State Representatives:
Sandy Baird from Burlington
Joyce Barbieri from Wallingford
Chuck Bohi from Hartford
Gordon Bristol from Brattleboro
Carol Buchdahl from Georgia
Jack Candon from Norwich
Diane Carmolli from Rutland City
Andrew Christiansen from East Montpelier
Wendell Coleman from Londonderry
Michel Consejo from Swanton
Thomas Costello from Brattleboro
Barbara Grimes from Burlington
Christopher Healy from Norwich
Steve Hingtgen from Burlington
Cheryl Hooker from Rutland City
Margaret Hummel from Underhill
Michael Klopchin from Clarendon
Alysia Krasnow Butler from Charlotte
Jerry Kreitzer from Rutland City
Doris Lingelbach from Thetford
Mary Mazzariello from Rutland City
Anne Mook from Bennington
Donny Osman from Plainfield
Mary-Ann Parizo from Essex
Dexter Randall from Newport
Ann Seibert from Norwich
Ernest Shand from Weathersfield
Andrew Snyder from Pittsford
Bob Stannard from Manchester
Sheila Vowinkel from Hartford
Perry Waite from Pawlett
Linda Waite-Simpson from Essex
Cindy Weed from Enosburg
Jeff Young from St. Albans
Candidates:
Josh Aldrich, candidate for State Representative from Berkshire
Paul Belaski, candidate for State Representative from Windsor
Caroline Bright, candidate for State Representative from Georgia
Sue Buckholz, candidate for State Representative from Quechee
Jill Charbonneau, candidate for State Representative from Middlebury
Ed Clark, candidate for State Representative from Guildhall
Selene Colburn, candidate for State Representative from Burlington
Mari Cordes, candidate for State Representative from Lincoln
Scott Garren, candidate for State Senate from Rutland County
Faisal Gill, candidate for State Senate from Chittenden County
Dave Hinckley, candidate for State Representative from Springfield
Jay Hooper, candidate for State Representative from Brookfield
Conor Kennedy, candidate for State Senate from Windsor County
Michael McCarthy, candidate for State Representative from St. Albans
Rob Millar, candidate for State Representative from Winooski
Korrine Rodrigue, candidate for State Senate from Rutland County
David Yacovone, candidate for State Representative from Morristown
Statements in Support of Matt’s Candidacy:
“I’m supporting Matt Dunne because he has always had his finger directly on innovation, whether it’s nationally, or here at home in Vermont. Back in the 1990s Matt was brought into the Clinton Administration, which was big on innovation. Bring it forward to the 21st century, and Matt finds himself at Google, which is the center of innovation for the entire planet, even as we speak,” said Senate Majority Leader Phil Baruth. “I’m confident that Matt can bring those ideas, that energy, that capital, back to Vermont and help us jumpstart our economy in a way that it hasn’t hummed in 25 years. So, please join me. I think Matt is exactly what we need at this moment.”
“I know Matt is the right choice for the future of Vermont,” said Paul Belaski, candidate for State Representative from Windsor.
“I urge Vermont voters to support Matt Dunne for governor in the Democratic primary on August 9. One of the biggest problems facing Vermont is the need for robust economic development to create jobs that will allow our young people to stay here,” said Charles Bohi, a former State Representative from Hartford. “Because of his long years working for Google, Matt Dunne has had unique exposure to this new form of communication. He also has been ‘present at the creation’ of many technical innovations that are essential for Vermont’s continued economic growth. For that reason, I hope that Vermont voters will nominate and elect Matt Dunne to the governor’s office.”
“I am proud to enthusiastically endorse Matt to be Vermont's next Governor,” said Caroline Bright, candidate for State Representative from Georgia. “He is innovative, practical, and fiercely committed to true Vermont values.”
“I admired Matt's work ethic while serving with him in the legislature,” said Diane Carmolli, former State Representative from Rutland City. “It was clear to me he was dedicated to improving the State of Vermont.”
“Matt and I have worked together in past years and his ingenuity, creativeness, and commitment to the community are exactly what Vermont needs in a Governor,” said former State Senator Matt Choate from Caledonia County. “He is a native Vermonter and has spent his career helping to make the lives of Vermonters better. We need his dedication and his skills leading the state in the years ahead.”
“Matt and I co-sponsored universal healthcare legislation in the early 1990s, because we share the belief that healthcare is a human right,” said Andrew Christiansen, a former State Representative from East Montpelier. “That policy priority is as relevant today as it was back then, maybe even more so. Matt has the experience and the leadership skills to make universal healthcare a reality in Vermont, which is why I’m proud to back him for Governor.”
“I am supporting Matt Dunne because he has demonstrated political courage. Every politician talks about fighting and having courage but Matt has demonstrated it,” said Faisal Gill, candidate for State Senate from Chittenden County. “Running as a minority in Vermont is not an easy task. Running as a Muslim is even harder. But I am really encouraged when I hear Matt talk about racial equality and Vermont welcoming all. With Matt as governor, I know that he will he able to tackle the tough issues facing Vermont with courage and he will look out for ALL Vermonters.”
“I support Matt because of his forward-thinking vision for improving healthcare, education, and technology across the state,” said Cheryl Hooker, former State Representative from Rutland.
“I am supporting Matt because I appreciate the open and honest conversations he had with fellow legislative members in committees and on the house floor,” said Mike Klopchin, a former State Representative from Clarendon. “Many of those conversations were joining me and others in fighting to support veterans when they return home from war. As a veteran myself, I appreciate his support of the vets.”
“I am thrilled to throw my support behind Matt Dunne in his campaign for Governor of Vermont. I served with Matt in the Vermont State House from 1999-2000, and was impressed from day one by his grasp of the issues and his ability to work with all the differing viewpoints and personalities in the building,” said Alysia Krasnow Butler, a former State Representative from Charlotte. “I've watched his career from afar and continue to be impressed by his commitment to Vermonters and the issues that are most important to them, while looking to the future for his children's generation. I have told all of my Vermont relatives and friends to support Matt in this election. He truly is the best person to lead Vermont forward.”
“I’m endorsing Matt Dunne for Governor because I know that he’s the leader we need to build a better future for Vermont’s children and young families,” said Michael McCarthy, a former State Representative from St. Albans who is running again this year. “No one should have to work 40, 50 or 60 hours a week and still be in poverty. Matt supports increasing the minimum wage, paid family leave, and reforms that will make it easier for young Vermont families to find quality childcare when they are at work.”
“I am supporting Matt Dunne for Governor because of Matt's leadership skills, his ability to be a visionary, and his work experience - Google, AmeriCorps - which allows him to have a wider view of today's markets,” said Anne Mook, former State Representative from Bennington. “Matt has realistic goals for the state. He understands that in order to improve our job market, our education system needs to meet the skill set needed for Vermont’s future jobs. No company will relocate here if we do not have an educated workforce combined with the technology needed; it is part of his vision.”
“I have always appreciated Matt very much,” said Dexter Randall, former State Representative from Newport. “I respect Matt's integrity - the work that he's done is always honest, and I'm very sure that if Matt is elected as our new governor that he will do his very best to put Vermonters first.”
“I am pleased to support Matt Dunne for Governor. I know he shares my progressive values and will do all that he can to advance the struggle for economic and social justice, to move us toward universal health care, and to protect our environment,” said Cheryl Rivers, former State Senator from Windsor County. “I have seen first hand his honesty, his determination, and his extraordinary ability. I also believe he will bring administrative competence along with strong leadership.”
“I was proud to serve with Matt in the legislature,” said David Yacavone, former Morristown State Representative, who is running again this year. “He is smart, hard working, cares deeply about Vermont and most importantly he will reach out and listen to others before making a decision."
“The one candidate who has the vision and the ability to be the governor we need is Matt Dunne,” said Jeff Young, former State Representative from St. Albans. “He understands the state and knows how to get stuff done - that's why I am supporting Matt!”
Last month, Matt was endorsed by the Executive Committee of the AFL-CIO, the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA), a majority of the Burlington City Council, Rights & Democracy and the Upper Valley Young Liberals.
Source: Dunne Campaign 7.7.2016