Vermont Business Magazine Molly Gray, democratic candidate for Vermont Lieutenant Governor kicked off her campaign with a tour from Bradford to Burlington on Thursday. Gray started the day at Four Corners Farm in Newbury where she grew up. She greeted local supporters at the Space On Main in Bradford and continued on to meet with business owners, community leaders, and service providers at stops at Farm-Way in Bradford, Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, and the King Street Center in Burlington, before ending with a campaign rally at the Queen City Brewery in South Burlington.
Molly Gray in Bradford Thursday. Gray Campaign photo.
Throughout the day Gray spoke with Vermonters about her vision for bringing a generation home to Vermont and keeping a generation in the State. Gray spoke about her commitment to reinvigorating Vermont’s rural communities, ensuring Vermont is the best place to raise and support families, and protecting the land and environment for future generations.
Gray finished the tour with a campaign rally at Queen City Brewery in Burlington. Speaking to over 100 supporters, Gray said: “It is clear that Vermont is ready for a change. All day, from Bradford to Burlington, Vermonters shared with me their stories, and reminded me of who we are and what we are able to achieve. These are the voices that I will bring into the State House as we chart a bright new future for Vermont.”
Gray received endorsements through the tour, beginning in Bradford. Introducing speakers and welcoming guests to Bradford was resident Monique Priestley, founder of a community coworking space in the heart of downtown Bradford. A proven and dedicated community leader and organizer, Monique endorsed Gray stating, “I am very excited to support Molly's campaign for Lieutenant Governor. Coming from a small-town Vermont farm, Molly is able to represent rural Vermonters' views in a way that very few statewide candidates can. Not to mention, she is a strong, intelligent, young voice - something that needs to be heard and represented with more frequency. I look forward to seeing Molly in office.”
Also speaking in Bradford and endorsing Gray, were Representatives Carl Demrow of Corinth and Chip Conquest of Wells River. Of Gray, Rep. Demrow said “Molly Gray understands the challenges our rural communities face, and she knows the importance of making Vermont a place of opportunity for our young people. She is uniquely qualified to serve all Vermonters well as Lieutenant Governor.”
Representative Conquest endorsed Gray, saying: “Molly grew up here, left to do important work, and then came back. She understands what makes Vermont attractive to young people and how to communicate that. Having been in the legislature for twelve years now, I have an idea of the qualities and characteristics that we want in the State House, and Molly has those.”
While at the landmark outdoor retail store Farm-Way, Gray met with three generations of Farm-Way’s ownership and a group of community members to discuss challenges specific to Bradford, particularly a lack of accessible, affordable housing in the downtown. Farm-Way owner Paul Gallerani endorsed Gray stating, “Molly was brought up at Four Corners Farm with a loving, hardworking family. She knows the value of hard work. I expect that Molly will work hard for our small businesses, farms, villages, schools and for proper healthcare. We know she will do an outstanding job as Vermont’s next Lieutenant Governor.”
Gray also met with Olympians Marilyn Cochran and James “Jimmy” Cochran who is the next generation of Cochran children managing the family’s ski area in Richmond. Gray learned about efforts to keep outdoor recreation accessible to Vermont families in the face of a changing climate by adding mountain bike trails and diversifying offerings while protecting the land and natural resources for future generations.
Later, Gray visited the King Street Center in Burlington to tour the facility and learn about the organizations many child and family services. Gray said, “It is essential that we invest in programs and incentives for Vermont families who are struggling to care for both aging parents and for young children.”
Gray finished the day with over 100 supporters from around Vermont at Queen City Brewery in Burlington. Speaking in support of Gray and her campaign for Lieutenant Governor were Burlington City Councilor representing the South End, Joan Shannon, founder and CEO of Skida Headwear, Corrine Prevot, Governor Madeleine Kunin, and Burlington resident Kelsey Stavseth. In her endorsement Shannon said, “Molly Gray has all of the personal resources, as well as the vision and focus, to find solutions for Vermont. Vermont is a microcosm of the world and Molly is a dynamic new leader who has the global perspective and lived experience to create a more sustainable future for our small cities, towns, farm fields and woodlands.”
Governor Kunin, who endorsed Gray at the time of her announcement, continued to champion the need for more female leaders in state-wide office, painting Gray as the ideal candidate for Lieutenant Governor, adding “Molly’s a bright spot as we look at the political horizon.”
Stavseth, who introduced Gray, said “Molly is dedicated to lifting up our entire community which is why I am supporting her for Lieutenant Governor. She is the next generation of leader that this state needs to not only address our most pressing issues but to build on our greatest strengths. Her values, optimism, and commitment to Vermont are why I will be standing with her and working hard to get her elected.”
Master of ceremonies for the night was Burlington resident and campaign volunteer Olivia Peña, who ended the evening with a call to action: “With all eyes on Vermont in 2020 we can prove that our brave state is not too small to lead. Your vote matters, and who we elect matters. The most important thing you can do is vote on August 11th!”
On January 27th, democrat Molly Gray announced she is running for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. Molly was born and raised on a farm in Newbury and graduated from the UVM. Molly helped elect Congressman Peter Welch and went on to serve as a Congressional aide in his Washington, D.C. office. She later worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross before attending Vermont Law School. Over the last decade she served as a law clerk to Vermont’s judge to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and managed the launch of the first global initiative mandated to oversee the compliance of private security contractors with human rights. Now, Molly serves as an Assistant Attorney General. Molly has already earned early support from Vermonters from across the state including former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Finance Chair Jane Stetson, former Governor Madeleine Kunin, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George, Shelburne Resident and Attorney Mary Kehoe, Vermont Law School President and Dean Tom McHenry, Putney native and Olympian John Caldwell, and Pete's Greens founder Pete Johnson of Craftsbury, Vermont.
Source: Gray Campaign 2.28.2020