Scudder Parker Files for Governors Race

Scudder Parker Files for Governors Race
MONTPELIER, Vt. Scudder Parker, a veteran public servant who grew up on
his familys Vermont dairy farm, emerged as the leading Democratic
candidate for governor on Thursday by filing to enter the 2006 campaign.
Parker visited the Vermont Secretary of States office to submit papers
officially indicating his intention to run for governor. A formal campaign
announcement and kickoff will be scheduled in October.
A former state senator who also worked for Democratic and Republican
governors, Parker said his many years of public service and his vision for
Vermont qualify him to be the states next leader.
August in Vermont is a time for family, swimming, baseball and fairs
not necessarily politics, said Parker, 62, who lives in Montpelier with
his wife, Susan Sussman. But Vermonters should know that Im now at work
preparing an aggressive and successful campaign to become the effective
and respectful governor our state deserves.
Parker grew up on his familys farm in Danville, and helped manage the
farm s succession between generations after his father died in 1966. He
served for more than two decades as a Congregational minister in Caledonia
County. As the first Democrat elected to the Vermont Senate from Caledonia
County in more than 60 years, Parker served eight years in the Senate,
half of them in leadership as chair of the powerful Senate Finance
Committee.
Parker worked for 13 years in the administrations of Govs. Madeleine
Kunin, Richard Snelling and Howard Dean as the director of the Energy
Efficiency Division at the Public Service Department. In that role he
provided innovative leadership in the development of energy policies that
have saved Vermonters millions of dollars on their utility bills.
Parkers most recent position was as the Public Policy Coordinator for
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, where he helped increase the
participation of Vermont businesses in the legislative dialogue on energy
and health care policy.
Whether I was their minister, neighbor, senator or colleague, Vermonters
who know me recognize that Im independent and care deeply about people,
Parker said. A successful leader respects and listens to those who
agree and those who dont.
Parkers filing names Will Raap as his campaign treasurer. Raap is the
founder and chief executive officer of Gardeners Supply Company and the
Intervale Foundation, headquartered in Burlington, Vermont.
Im honored to have Will serve as the treasurer of the campaign, Parker
said. His business success is a powerful example of my own vision for
Vermonts economy. Here is an independent business that respects its
employees, improves the environment and competes successfully in the world
economy.
Vermonters have led our nation and the world in fighting for justice,
caring for the land, building strong and resilient communities, and
demonstrating a unique blend of common sense and inventiveness. My
leadership will be informed by these traditions because they are both our
heritage and our hope, said Parker.
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