Gov. Scott faces Republican challenge over spending, Trump

Gov. Phil Scott is facing a challenge this year from a fellow Republican Keith Stern of North Springfield who argues the governor is politically vulnerable over state budget issues and opposition to President Donald Trump.


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Stern's reaction to this article:

The article written about me by April McCollum in the Burlington “Free” Press was what I expected it would be; a biased piece. She made statements that tried to paint me in the worst light possible.

Yes I very briefly was considering a run as a Democrat but of course I wasn't asked why by April. It was because I thought that there were no TRUE Republicans left in Vermont. I've since found out differently. I also was hoping to bring the democrat party from the far left (read: socialist) to a more centrist position and towards fiscal responsibility and personal freedoms. I quickly saw that they weren't interested in that. Smaller government and people getting to keep more of the money they earn are ideas the left abhors.

There was no mention of corrections reform where I said we need to look at alternative punishment to incarceration. My ideas would be acceptable to many people and they don't want people hearing that.

She apparently tried to imply that I am against due process but I am the only constitutionalist candidate in the race and support both the United States and the Vermont constitutions unwavering.

Then there was the discussion I had where I talked about also wanting to use the influence being governor creates unofficially to help nonprofits raise money; to help families in need by doing some much needed work on their properties by announcing I am going to help and asking for volunteers. The liberal press surely doesn't want its readers to know a conservative is compassionate.

Finally, she made sure I voted for Gary Johnson, the only logical reason would be to try and alienate the Trump supporters. Let me state clearly that I didn't vote for the president because 1. he had no chance to win in Vermont so I figured my vote would be better served trying to help getting the Libertarian party enough votes to become eligible for future candidates to be in debates, and 2. I thought Mr. Trump was actually a liberal trying to disguise himself as a conservative. On the latter boy am I glad I was wrong!

Gov. Scott faces Republican challenge over spending, Trump Gov. Scott faces Republican challenge over spending, Trump April McCullum, Free Press Staff Writer Published 3:53 p.m. ET Feb. 5, 2018 | Updated 3:56 p.m. ET Feb. 5, 2018 Free Press reporters April McCullum and Joel Baird discuss the morning's top headlines. APRIL McCULLUM, JOEL BAIRD, ABIGAIL SILIN/FREE PRESS 636530008990574757-Keith-Stern---courtesy.jpg (Photo: COURTESY KEITH STERN CAMPAIGN) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE Gov. Phil Scott is facing a challenge this year from a fellow Republican who argues the governor is politically vulnerable over state budget issues and opposition to President Donald Trump. Keith Stern, 62, of North Springfield is seeking the Republican nomination for governor in this summer's primary election. Stern has owned a wholesale produce business in White River Junction for about 35 years and has never held elected office. He said he could identify $100 million of wasteful state government spending by acting on conservative principles. "I don’t see where he's doing much at all, personally," Stern said of Scott, who is in his first term. "His goal is to not increase taxes. My goal is to cut taxes." See also: Gov. Scott calls for tax exemption on Social Security income Rebecca Kelley, a spokeswoman for Scott, said Monday that no one was available to comment on behalf of Scott's campaign, because the governor has yet to launch a formal re-election bid. This 2006 file photo shows, from left, Vermont's U.S. House candidates Martha Rainville, Republican; Keith Stern, independent; Jerry Trudell, independent; and Peter Welch, Democrat. Stern is running for governor in 2018, challenging Gov. Phil Scott in the Republican primary election.Buy Photo This 2006 file photo shows, from left, Vermont's U.S. House candidates Martha Rainville, Republican; Keith Stern, independent; Jerry Trudell, independent; and Peter Welch, Democrat. Stern is running for governor in 2018, challenging Gov. Phil Scott in the Republican primary election. (Photo: FREE PRESS FILE ) Stern's platform is replete with ideas that could present practical or legal challenges. He wants to eliminate the state Agency of Education and the State Board of Education, opting instead for one or two staff members and a regular conference of local school board members. He also wants to repeal Act 46, the law that encourages school districts to merge and gives the State Board of Education authority to require mergers. Vermont Health Connect, the health benefit exchange under the Affordable Care Act, also would be on the chopping block for Stern, who favors a state-funded catastrophic health insurance option for low-income Vermonters. Stern differs from Scott in a number of other policy areas. When Scott's administration announced mandatory sexual harassment training for all state employees, Stern's campaign issued a statement calling the move a waste of taxpayer money. "Mr. Stern believes that State employees are not stupid and should just be given a copy of the rules," the campaign said in the December statement, adding that Vermont employees should be fired if they commit sexual harassment "and the violation is proven through their Constitutional right of due process." YOU ALSO MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ... Celebrate International Clash Day in Burlington with these 7 songs Early winter cold snap gobbles up wood heat supplies VT Sports Hall of Fame announces 2018 inductees One of this winter's largest snowstorms due to hit the Champlain Valley on Wednesday VT school districts submit smaller-than-expected budgets Stern also released a statement in December supporting Trump's tax bill, which Scott opposed. Stern said he voted for libertarian Gary Johnson for president and now supports Trump. He said many Vermont Republicans support Trump and will not vote a second time for Scott. The Stern campaign has waffled over political affiliation. In July, Stern told Vermont Public Radio he would run as a Republican and face Scott in the primary. Less than 24 hours later, the radio station reported Stern had changed his mind and would campaign as a Democrat. By the time Stern filed his official candidate registration statement with the Secretary of State's Office on Dec. 1, he was a Republican again. The Vermont Republican Party has so far encouraged people to support the governor. "Gov. Scott is a very strong, well-liked governor, and I foresee him easily getting reelected," Deb Billado, the new chairwoman of the Vermont Republican Party, said in a December interview. "And my job is to support him in that re-election process." Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum.