State parties set to hold conventions
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By DANIEL BARLOW Vermont Press Bureau - Published: November 10, 2009
MONTPELIER – Democrats will hear from U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy. Progressives will listen to Con Hogan. And Republicans will get a speech from Gov. James Douglas – and elect a new party chair.
Members of Vermont's top three political parties will meet for separate conventions this weekend as they reorganize, elect party officials and hear from candidates running for higher office next year.
While big names may bring some party faithful out to the Democratic and Progressive meetings, Republicans will decide who will govern their political party for the next two years as they elect a new chairperson.
Rob Roper has been chairman of the Vermont Republican Party since January 2007, but will not seek re-election. Two candidates are seeking to replace him, each with a very different approach to governing the GOP over the next two years.
"It's been three years," Roper told the Associated Press in September. "The average term for a Republican state chair is 18 months. I'm still going to be involved. There's a lot of opportunities."
Vermont's major political parties reorganize every two years, a process that begins at the town and county level in the fall and culminates in party conventions, typically held in Washington County, where the party faithful elect new officers.
"The public is welcome to attend," said Erik Mason, the executive director of the Vermont Republican Party.
The race for the Republican chairmanship focuses on two declared candidates: former State Rep. Steve Larrabee, who now serves on the Danville Selectboard is the county chairman of the party, and Dan Riley, a Bennington political consultant who worked on Sen. John McCain's first run for president in 2000.
Riley threw his hat into the ring earlier this year after word circulated that Roper planned to step down. A native of New York State, he moved to Vermont in the early 2000s and works as a business and political consultant.
Riley said he is looking forward to hearing from Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who plans to run next year to replace Douglas, who is retiring after four terms as governor. Riley said Dubie's credentials are obvious.
"He's the one who can beat any Democratic candidate like a drum," Riley joked.
The only major difference between the two candidates (Riley said they agree on most issues) is how they would govern the party's political apparatus.
Larrabee, who could not be reached for comment Monday, has said he would not take a salary as part of the job and instead use those resources to focus on the 2010 House and Senate races. Riley said he sees the job as full-time, and plans to take a salary and live in Montpelier during the workweek.
"My plan would be to spend four days a week in Montpelier and one day each week on the road talking to Vermonters," Riley said.
The conventions for the Democratic and Progressive parties may not have any contested races on their agendas, but they have lined up plenty of political speakers.
Judy Bevans, the chairwoman of the Vermont Democratic Party, is not facing any declared opposition to another term. She took over the position about nine months ago after former chairman Ian Carleton stepped down.
For Democrats, the real draw may be the post-convention party. Leahy, U.S. Sen. Bernard Sanders and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch are the speakers at the Fall Harvest Fest 2009, which begins at 5 p.m. at Lucia's Italian Restaurant in Barre and continues an hour later at the Old Labour Hall in Barre.
Both those events are fundraisers for the party, with tickets ranging from $25 to $5,000.
Progressives will meet earlier that day at the Old Labour Hall and hear from speakers Con Hogan, the secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services under former Gov. Howard Dean's administration, and Ray Shadis, an anti-nuclear engineer.
Progressive Party Chairwoman Martha Abbott is not expected to face any opposition for another term.
"We'll also discuss legislative priorities for the next session," said Morgan Daybell, the executive director of the Vermont Progressive Party.
The Progressive convention starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Labour Hall in Barre, followed by a state committee meeting at the same location at 2 p.m. Democrats will meet at 3 p.m. at the Barre Civic Center, followed up by the fundraiser that evening. Republicans will meet at 11 a.m. at the Montpelier Elks Club.
Daniel.Barlow@timesargus.com
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