(Host) The two Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for lieutenant governor say they agree on most of the key issues facing the state.
But Phil Scott and Mark Snelling they’re big difference is in the kind of experience that they’ll bring to the office if they’re elected.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports.
(Kinzel) Scott and Snelling both support the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee, making significant changes in the way that the state pays for education, and reducing state spending to help lower taxes – a move they say will encourage more economic development.
So what do they say is the major difference between them in this race? In a word: experience.
Speaking on VPR’s Republican lieutenant governor’s debate, Scott said his experience as a five-term state senator from Washington County is important because a number of Senate leaders aren’t seeking re-election in November.
(Scott) "I think particularly this year, when we’re faced with those economic challenges, we need some experience there to make sure that we can reach across the aisle when necessary, bring people together. We’re all Vermonters. We should be able to get this done."
(Kinzel) Meanwhile Snelling considers his experience as a small business person over the last 35 years as the best qualification for the job.
(Snelling) "I have a long-term perspective on what’s needed in Vermont. I’ve seen it go through a number of recessions, up, down, sideways. So I’ve got that long term perspective."
(Kinzel) And Snelling says he brings the fresh perspective of a political outsider to this campaign. By comparison, he describes Scott as a Montpelier "insider."
(Snelling) "I am outside of Montpelier. I am not part of any group or club that is Montpelier-based. That I really seek to make changes and make changes that will benefit Vermont in the long term."
(Kinzel) But Scott argued that it’s wrong to describe him as a "political insider."
(Scott) "Whether I’m on the construction site rolling up my sleeves working along with my fellow employees, or at the race track talking with people there that are regular Vermonters feeling disenfranchised and don’t feel that they have a voice, I’m the voice for them."
(Kinzel) Both candidates say that if a Democrat is elected governor in November, they’ll try to work with the new governor in a bi-partisan manner.
For VPR News, I’m Bob Kinzel in Montpelier