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Jim Douglas

Governor of Vermont (since 2002)

(Gerald Martineau/TWP)

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Vermont Treasurer (1994 to 2002); Vermont Secretary of State (1980 to 1992); Vermont House of Representatives (1972 to 1979)
Birthday: June 21, 1951
Hometown: Longmeadow, Mass.
Alma Mater: Middlebury College, B.A., 1972
Spouse: Dorothy

Religion: Congregationalist
State/District Office: 109 State St., Montpelier, 5609 Phone: 802-828-3333
Email
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Path to Power

Born in Longmeadow, Mass., Douglas didn't wait until he turned 18 to get involved in politics. A Republican from the start, he began passing out campaign materials for GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (Ariz.) in 1964 when he was just 13.

In 1968, Douglas enrolled in Middlebury College during the height of Vietnam War protests. But he remained close to his GOP roots, organizing a 1970 rally for President Richard Nixon on campus. Douglas was elected to the state House representing Middlebury the same year he graduated. Five years later, in 1977, he was elected majority leader and in 1979 lost a race to become house speaker. Instead, he became an aide for Gov. Richard Snelling (R) and worked for the United Way and as a radio announcer in his spare time.

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Douglas couldn't stay away from elections long. In 1980 he was elected secretary of state, a job he held for 12 years. In 1992, he attempted to make the jump to the U.S. Senate and challenged three-term Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). Leahy held a big lead in polls during the campaign and gained the endorsement of every major paper in the state. As Election Day approached, Leahy charged Douglas with "sleaze ball negative campaigning" as Douglas hammered him for voting for a $23,000 congressional pay raise. Douglas' attack proved ineffective as Leahy won 54 percent to 43 percent. Two years later, Douglas was elected state treasurer for the first of four times.

2002 Governor's Race

In early 2001, with rumors circulating that Gov. Howard Dean (D) would retire in 2002, the Vermont governor's race got off to an early start. Douglas declared his candidacy instantly and secured the early support of key GOP leaders. But he wasn't the only Republican candidate. Con Hogan, former state human services director, entered the race as a Republican, but later decided to become an independent. Lt. Gov. Douglas Racine ran as Democrat.

Douglas campaigned as the candidate of change in a state that had a Democratic governor for 17 of the previous 18 years. He called for tax cuts and vowed to "create a more business-friendly environment." On Election Day, none of the three candidates received 50 percent of the vote. Douglas won a majority with 45 percent, Racine received 42 percent and Hogan won 10 percent. With no candidate winning a majority, the election went to the Vermont legislature, where representatives and senators would choose the governor. But Racine had previously pledged not to take his candidacy to the legislature if he received under 50 percent of the vote. With Douglas and Hogan the only candidates left, Douglas won.

Subsequent Re-election Contests

In 2004 (Vermont's gubernatorial term lasts only two years), longtime Burlington mayor Peter Clavelle (D) challenged Douglas. Clavelle had over two decades of political experience in Vermont and got his start in 1982 under Sen. Bernie Sanders (I).

In the 2004 election Douglas focused primarily on health care. He called for diverting the $90 million the state spends on Medicaid to a universal health care program, health-savings accounts and re-opening the state to private insurers. Clavelle ran largely on his opposition to the Iraq war. The tactic didn't work as Douglas won, 59 to 38 percent. Despite the Republican victory, Democrats increased their margin in the state Senate and picked up a large majority in the House.

Given his ability to defy national odds and win re-election as a Republican in a Democratic state, Douglas was eyed by some as the obvious Republican recruit for the seat being vacated in 2006 by retiring Sen. Jim Jeffords (I). But with Sanders already in the race, Douglas declined. "I believe I can make the greatest contribution to the state of Vermont by continuing to serve as governor," he said. Douglas referred to speculation about the Senate seat as "an unfortunate distraction from the work we need to accomplish this year."

In 2006, Douglas ran for re-election on an "agenda of affordability," a response to Vermont's rising cost-of-living and what he perceived as a Democratic willingness to raise taxes. His opponent, former state Sen. Scudder Parker (D), criticized Douglas for dragging his feet on energy issues and for failing to stand up to President George W. Bush on issues like No Child Left Behind. In the end, Douglas' spending advantage helped him to a 56 to 41 percent victory. He carried all but one county.

In the 2008 gubernatorial election, Douglas faced two seasoned Vermont politicians: former Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington (D) and longtime political activist Anthony Pollina, who entered the race as a Progressive candidate but switched to independent halfway through the election.

Polls consistently showed that Douglas' fight was not to defeat his two challengers, but to win over 50 percent of the electorate. Two issues dominated the election: a debate over sex-offender laws and the economy. Douglas called for stiff penalties against sex offenders while his opponents advocated other efforts to stem the problem.

The economic collapse of late 2008 forced Douglas to defend his record as governor. His opponents criticized him for a slow job-growth rate and a lack of bold initiatives to jumpstart the economy. He received 53 percent of the vote while Symington won 22 percent.

The Issues

Douglas is a fiscally conservative social moderate, which makes him an electable Republican in a largely Democratic state. During his frequent campaigns, he often talks about financial responsibility, education and health care. In its 2008 endorsement of Douglas, the Burlington Free Press said he "has the track record of prudently managing state finances, a critical skill as Vermont continues to face the consequences of a slow economy."

Douglas has shown willingness to compromise with Democrats, a necessity given that party's majority in Vermont's legislature. Specifically, he worked with Democrats to pass legislation expanding health care in Vermont. The effort resulted in the creation of Catamount Health, a state-run insurance plan sold by private insurance companies.

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Still, the two sides haven't always worked together. In 2006, Douglas clashed with state Democrats over a college scholarship program. Douglas sought to create a $175 million college scholarship program funded by tobacco settlement money. Lawmakers wanted to use the money for health care instead. In 2007, state lawmakers wanted to leave scholarship money out of that year's budget. "I don't understand this disregard for the needs of young Vermonters trying to get ahead," Douglas said.

Gay Marriage

On April 2, 2009, the Vermont House passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage by a 95 to 52 margin. When the state Senate approved the bill a week later and sent it to the governor, Douglas quickly vetoed it. He said he believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. "Our civil union law serves Vermont well and I would support congressional action to extend those benefits at the federal level to states that recognize same-sex unions," he said.

But the state legislature overrode Douglas' veto on April 7, 2009, making Vermont the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage and the first to do so by legislature's vote.

The Economy

Though President Obama's economic stimulus plan had little support from national Republicans, Douglas supported it. He met with Obama in the White House to try to raise GOP support for the plan. Douglas said he had "some differences of opinion" with the final version of the economic stimulus package and said "it might be a little different" if he had written it. But the "essence of a recovery package" is right, he said.

Permit Reform

Reform of Vermont's Act 250 was the cornerstone of Douglas' 2002 campaign. The act, originally passed in 1970, established ten criteria to consider for all large-scale economic development projects in Vermont. It was meant to protect the environment and community life. By the 21st century, some began blaming the act for the loss of jobs across the state. Douglas said he "would bring common sense to the permit process to make it more predictable, less expensive and less time-consuming."

It took two years of debate before a compromise was achieved on reforming Act 250. In the end a single Environmental Court was created to replace five different venues that, at the time, heard appeals from those who argued a project would harm the environment. The reform also simplified zoning and development review regulations. "This is an important step for creating jobs in our state and moving our economy forward. It will make the process of permitting more predictable, more consistent, expeditious and less costly," Douglas said.

The Network

Douglas endorsed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in the 2008 presidential primaries, saying: "John McCain is a reformer who is willing to stand up for taxpayers and against special interests." In 2000, Douglas served as the Vermont campaign chair for George W. Bush.

As the vice chair of the National Governor Association, Douglas shares a working relationship with many of the country's other governors, particularly NGA Chairmann Gov. Ed Rendell (D-Pa.).

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