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Minter starts optimistic campaign for governor
April McCullum
WATERBURY An upbeat Sue Minter kicked off her campaign for governor Tuesday evening by drawing heavily on stories of recovery after Tropical Storm Irene.
"I'm running for governor because where I see problems, I also see potential," Minter told a cheering crowd of more than 100 people. "I believe that our moments of greatest challenge can also be our moments of greatest opportunity."
Minter would become Vermont's second female governor, following Gov. Madeleine Kunin, who endorsed her at the event by raising an invisible "torch" on stage.
"It's about time for the second woman governor, and someday we'll stop counting," Kunin said.
Minter, 54, is one of three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.
Minter represented Waterbury in the House of Representatives for six years, including time on the House Appropriations Committee and House Transportation Committee. She recently served as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Transportation under Gov. Peter Shumlin until resigning last month for the sake of her campaign.
But it was Minter's work after the 2011 storm as "queen of Irene," as one supporter called her, that became the heart of her campaign launch.
"Some of you may wonder why I have hope," Minter said. "It's because I've had the extraordinary experience, the privilege, of seeing Vermont at its toughest times and also at its best."
As governor, Minter pledged to fight poverty, rein in property taxes while maintaining educational quality, invest in energy efficiency and clean energy, and use road and bridge projects as a way to grow the economy.
She also promised a plan to improve access to quality child care.
"The lack of child care is one of the most important barriers holding back women from entering the workforce," Minter said. "And this isn't just a family issue. It's an economic issue for employers, too."
Vermont Republicans have worked to tie Minter to Shumlin, whose favorability ratings have sunk.
Rep. Patrick Brennan, the Republican House Transportation Committee chairman who worked closely with Minter, characterizes her as "a diligent, driven person."
Brennan, who is supporting Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott in the governor's race, said he believes Vermonters are fearful of "more of the same" under another Democratic administration.
"I see her as a formidable foe for whoever she runs against, and I wouldn't count her out," Brennan said. "She's got all her ducks in order. She knows what she wants, and she's going after it."
Minter said her leadership style is different from Shumlin's.
"I have a lot to be proud of," Minter said, referring again to Vermont's storm recovery, "and I know that Vermonters will judge me for who I am, not for anybody who's come before me."
Minter's opponents for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, to date, include House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morristown, and Google executive and former state senator Matt Dunne. Scott and Campaign for Vermont co-founder Bruce Lisman have declared their candidacy as Republicans.
Vermont's race for governor began earlier than usual this year when Shumlin announced he would not seek re-election.
"It's going to be a long haul," former Lt. Gov. Doug Racine told spectators at Minter's campaign event.
This story was first posted on Oct. 6, 2015. Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank