Slew of endorsements announced, including one for new GOP U.S. Senate candidate

Local candidates have received a slew of big endorsements in recent weeks, including ones from former Vermont Govs. Jim Douglas and Howard Dean, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Myers Mermel

Myers Mermel, of Manchester

Myers Mermel, of Manchester, has jumped into the race for U.S. Senate in hopes of replacing retiring U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

Mermel, who has had a 35-year career in commercial real estate finance and banking, is running as a conservative who seeks practical solutions to issues such as inflation, high gasoline prices and high food prices. This week he received a ringing endorsement from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a fellow Republican he has known for 14 years.

“[Myers Mermel] … is the only conservative I have endorsed in New England so far this cycle because he is the only conservative capable of beating the Democrat party there. He is the clear conservative choice in Vermont,” Huckabee said.

Mermel said his experience with equity and debt capital markets, housing, and zoning and business operations will translate to fixing the sagging economy.

In a video describing “a new kind of conservative,” Mermel outlines his positions — including that he would like to attract more out-of-state business to Vermont, including Tesla.

In the August primary Mermel will be running against former U.S. attorney for Vermont Christina Nolan, who announced last month that former Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas will chair her campaign.

John Klar for Vermont

John Klar, of Brookfield

Brookfield farmer and attorney John Klar also has the former Vermont Republican governor in his camp. Klar, who is running for state Senate to represent Orange County, announced Thursday that Douglas has endorsed his candidacy.

“We need balance in Montpelier. We need real-world experience. John Klar has the energy and the background to tackle our problems. I hope he’s the next Senator from Orange County,” Douglas said.

In other endorsements news, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is supporting Democratic candidate Brenda Siegel to be the state’s next governor. She is the only Democratic challenger so far to announce a run against Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

“Brenda will meaningfully address the housing shortage, the overdose crisis and will support and strengthen our education system. She also will stand firm in her support of the Vermont State Employees and teachers,” Dean said.

Climate activist and 350.org founder Bill McKibben, of Ripton, is supporting Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint’s run for U.S. House. The green energy advocate and Middlebury College professor said of Balint that she will be “a superb representative for our small state in Washington.”

Douglas also has endorsed state Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, to be the next lieutenant governor of the state.

“He’s been a Senate leader, he works hard, he loves Vermont, and he’s respected by his colleagues across the political spectrum,” Douglas said. Benning will face conservative candidate Gregory Thayer in the Republican primary.

Democrats running for lieutenant governor include former Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, executive director of Vermont Council on World Affairs Patricia Preston, former state lawmaker Catherine “Kitty” Toll, and state Rep. Charlie Kimbell.

Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.

Images courtesy of Myers Mermel and John Klar for Vermont

2 thoughts on “Slew of endorsements announced, including one for new GOP U.S. Senate candidate

  1. I have lost all respect for Douglas now. He is a true RINO and is greatly hurting the VT GOP by endorsing squishy republicans. Nolan refused to say she voted for joe while Scott admitted to voting for him. Benning is as weak kneed as they get calling protestors on January 6th insurrectionists.
    If the party is to survive we need true republicans in office, not progressives who claim to be republicans.
    As of now I have decided I can’t be a member of the GOP. The party has left me.

  2. In spite of the usual lackluster approach, these primaries are more important than ever. Primaries, with a high turnout, give a better sampling of voter tendencies and thoughts than will happen with a low turnout.

    PLEASE vote in the Primary Election in August. The outcomes will be better.

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