by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Republicans and Democrats have both condemned what Governor Phil Scott called "vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic" in a chat group centered in New York State and which included other young Republicans from around the nation, including sitting Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass (R-Orleans) and his wife Brianna, the Vermont Young Republicans national committee member.
Senate and House Republican joint response to Politico article on Sen. Sam Douglass
We are in agreement with Gov. Phil Scott. Sen. Sam Douglass’ statements as reported by Politico are unacceptable and deeply disturbing. They cannot be excused and are inconsistent with Vermont values and what Vermont Republicans stand for.
It is time for Sen. Douglass to step away from his position as a Vermont Senator and resign.
Sen. Scott Beck
Senate Republican Leader
(802) 274-0201
Sen. Brian Collamore
Senate Asst. Republican Leader
(802) 342-6294
Rep. Pattie McCoy
House Republican Leader
(802) 236-0115
Rep. Casey Toof
House Asst. Republican Leader
(802) 309-3522
Vermont General Assembly
115 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633
Senator Sam Douglass Statement October 15, 2025
I completely denounce and fully condemn the vile and disgusting comments included in the POLITICO article and I have cut all ties with those involved. My role in the group chat in question was a procedural one about bylaws and floor strategy. There were often periods of multiple days when I didn't check this group chat and I was unfortunately unaware of those comments. I should've been more vigilant, more careful, and less naive about who I associate with and my digital environments. I will continue to call out this behavior whenever I see it. The comment attributed to me in the article was not a generalization and doesn't represent my views or character. I apologize so deeply to my constituents and colleagues that our county and state have been dragged into this. I am currently weighing all my options to ensure that the outcome of this is what's best for the safety and wellbeing of my family and my constituency, and I will make another statement before the end of the week.
UPDATE: Douglass announced his resignation on Friday, October 17.
Statement from Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth (D-Chittenden Central District)
“The Politico story confirms that the ugliness and the hateful bigotry of Trumpism does not stop at our borders. The deeply disturbing, racist and antisemitic rhetoric from Sam Douglass and the leaders of Young Republican groups is unacceptable and I call on Sam Douglass to resign immediately.
“It’s also critical to note that a single resignation will not eliminate the disturbing rhetoric permeating this country. The Vermont GOP must address and reject the largely covert network of hatred that binds them to racist and white nationalist elements nationwide.”
UPDATED: VTGOP Statement on Sen. Sam Douglass and the Politico Article
The Vermont Republican Party (VTGOP) Executive Committee stands united with Governor Phil Scott and the Republican Senate and House leadership and calls for the immediate resignation of Senator Sam Douglass. The VTGOP Executive Committee condemns the hateful, racist, and antisemitic messages revealed in a national Young Republican group chat.
Vermont Republicans believe in personal responsibility, respect for others, and the dignity of every individual. Those values are not negotiable. We will meet this moment with action to ensure that our Party always reflects the decency, fairness, and respect that Vermonters expect, and our Party was founded.
The VTGOP Executive Committee unanimously supports this statement and issues a full, complete retraction of the previously issued statement by Chairman Paul Dame.
Adopted by the Vermont Republican Party Executive Committee
October 15, 2025
VTGOP Chair Paul Dame Responds to Politico Article on YR Group Chat
“Yesterday’s (Tuesday, October 15, 2025) story in Politico which included some of the language allegedly used in a private group chat among a group of Young Republicans was shocking and grotesque to all Republicans. Although the remarks attributed to Sen. Douglass themselves were not bigoted or racist, because of his participation in the group, it has reflected poorly on himself, our party and Young Republicans everywhere.
Sen. Douglass owes it to his colleagues and his constituents to address the issue publicly. Included in that statement should be a categorical condemnation of the vile remarks made by the other members and a clarification of whether he had seen these remarks at the time they were made and why he didn’t condemn the other participants at the time.
Last week I applauded VA Delegate Carrie Coyner for confronting AG candidate Jay Jones for his awful private remarks at the time they were made, and I hold Sen. Douglass to the same standard. Republicans everywhere need to be vigilant and oppose these kinds of remarks, even when they are made in private.
I am removing Sen. Douglass from duties he has at the state party effective immediately until this matter is resolved.
If Sen. Douglass can not meet the minimum standard for informing the public about issues he is involved in, then I will also join the Governor and legislative colleagues in calling on him to resign.”
Vermont Progressive Party Condemns Messages
The Vermont Progressive Party condemns in the strongest possible terms the hateful, racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic messages revealed today in a year-long Telegram chat among members of the national Young Republicans, including Samuel Douglass, Chair of the Vermont Young Republicans and a sitting Vermont State Senator.
This should serve as a warning to us all: these are the future leaders of the Republican Party. The messages are shocking, unacceptable, and reveal the kind of hateful politics they embrace. Vermont voters should take notice; we are not immune to the cruelty and extremism of the modern GOP.
Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement in response to leaked messages from leaders of a national Young Republican group chat: “The hateful statements made in this group chat are disgusting and unacceptable. The vile, racist, bigoted, and antisemitic dialogue that has been reported is deeply disturbing. There is simply no excuse for it. Those involved should resign from their roles immediately and leave the Republican party – including Vermont State Senator Sam Douglass.”
Former Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman shared his reflections. "I fully agree with Governor Scott. The comments revealed in the National Young Republicans group chat are reprehensible and have no place in Vermont politics—or anywhere. When someone is part of a thread filled with repeated hateful, racist, misogynistic, and antisemitic remarks, any reasonable person should either speak out or remove themselves immediately. Silence in the face of such vile rhetoric is complicity. Senator Sam Douglass should resign.”
Senator Tanya Vyhovsky (Chittenden - Central State) stated, "Engaging in this vile and hateful rhetoric is a breach of public trust. I agree with my Republican colleagues that there is no place for this in Vermont public service and Senator Douglass should resign immediately."
Representative Kate Logan (Chittenden - 16) stated, “The current presidential administration encourages radical disregard of our fellow human beings and foments political conflict. We cannot show tolerance of such behavior, especially among young men who aspire to political leadership. Vermont Progressives expect State Senator Douglass to immediately resign his seat.”
Progressives in Vermont must organize, stay engaged, and ensure that our state remains a place where working people, marginalized communities, and every Vermonter are respected and protected. Silence is not an option.
Vermont Democratic Party Executive Director May Hanlon released the following statement in response on Wednesday
“The Vermont Democratic Party strongly denounces the disturbing, hateful, and discriminatory messages uncovered yesterday among members of the national Young Republicans including Samuel Douglass, Chair of the Vermont Young Republicans and a current Vermont state senator.
“Vermont Democrats call for Senator Douglass’s immediate resignation.
“Under the Public Records Act, I have requested communication records between Senator Douglass and other Vermont political figures to determine whether this conduct extended beyond Young Republicans’ chat rooms and into official political coordination.
“These individuals are rising leaders within the Republican Party. Earlier this month, Senator Douglass was nominated as a finalist for the ‘Legislator of the Year’ and ‘Rookie of the Year’ awards by the VTGOP. This should serve as a serious warning about the direction of Republican leadership in our state, and the growing acceptance of extremism within their ranks.
“The Vermont Democratic Party is committed to supporting leaders who embody Vermont values — respect, integrity, and compassion for all people. There is no space in Vermont for the violent and hateful behavior demonstrated by the Young Republicans and Senator Douglass — not in our politics, not in our communities, and certainly not in the Vermont Statehouse. Sen. Douglass must resign.”
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