May 17, 2022, 11:18 a.m. ETMay 17, 2022, 11:18 a.m. ET
Felice Belman
Gov. Phil Scott delivering his remote State of the State address January in Montpelier, Vt.
Gov. Phil Scott of Vermont, a popular Republican in a liberal state, announced a run for a fourth term on Tuesday in a typically low-key message on social media.
“My priority won’t be campaigning,” Mr. Scott said on Facebook. “I will continue to focus on doing the job you hired me to do and leading our state.”
The governor, who represents a type of moderate Republicanism that was once common across New England, made a case for common cause at a time of significant political polarization throughout the country. He pointed to his efforts on combating climate change and investing in housing as well as fighting off efforts to raise taxes.
Governor Scott has long been a critic of former President Donald J. Trump, calling for him to resign or be removed after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Mr. Scott, who is also a stock car racer, has consistently been ranked among the most popular governors in the country. An April poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire put his approval rating at 57 percent; 50 percent of Vermont voters, including 49 percent of Democrats, said he deserved to be re-elected.
The state’s primary will be held on Aug. 9. A Democrat, Brenda Siegel, also announced a bid for governor earlier this month.
The governor of Vermont serves just a two-year term.
Source: nytimes.com
