Vermont’s leading candidates for governor, incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democratic/Progressive challenger Esther Charlestin, engaged in a heated debate where they both agreed that Vermont is worse off today than in the recent past but disagreed on who was to blame. Scott blamed the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority for passing what he called “bad bills,” while Charlestin pointed the finger at Scott himself, questioning his leadership after eight years in office.
The virtual debate, the first of the 2024 election cycle, highlighted the contrasting experience levels of the candidates, with Scott emphasizing his record as governor and Charlestin focusing on her background in educational consulting and as a member of the Vermont Commission on Women. The debate also touched on Scott’s controversial appointment of the state’s education secretary and both candidates’ plans for addressing issues like rising education costs, housing shortages, and regulatory barriers.
Scott defended his decision to run for a fifth term by expressing concerns about the state’s direction over the past two years and pointing to issues like increased fees and taxes that he believes hurt Vermonters. Charlestin, on the other hand, called for more progressive taxation to support education and focused on the need for regulatory reform to address housing shortages. The debate showcased the differing visions and approaches of the two candidates as they vie for the governorship of Vermont.
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