Governor Peter Shumlin just held a press conference to announce he will not be running… for governor of Vermont in the next election. He says he’s accomplished his goals, according to WCAX.
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a bit more detail
He writes:
“Dear Friends,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you have shown me. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to serve as governor of Vermont.
When we started on this journey four and a half years ago, this state was a much different place. Unemployment was on the rise, businesses were shedding jobs, and Vermonters were struggling. With your help, I was elected on the promise that together we would get tough things done to turn this economy around and make it work for every single Vermonter.
We’ve delivered. Vermont now has the fourth lowest unemployment rate in America, and we’ve created almost 17,000 jobs. From energy to education to broadband to roads and bridges to opiate addiction, we’ve made a difference in the lives of so many Vermonters. And we’ve shown that this state is not afraid to lead America in doing what’s right.
As I consider our accomplishments and the work that remains, I believe that by the time I finish my third term we will have accomplished the work we set out to do when I became governor. For that reason, I will not seek re-election in 2016.
I made that decision now because I want my next 18 months in office to be focused entirely on continuing the work we started together. And there is much to do: Continuing to grow jobs and economic opportunity; containing health care costs that are rising faster than we can pay for them; continuing to turn the tide on opiate addiction; pursuing sensible drug policies; keeping Vermont on a sustainable spending path without asking Vermonters to pay higher tax rates; supporting women and families by reducing childhood homelessness and passing paid sick leave; and expanding renewable energy to create jobs and save our planet.
You’ve been with me every step of the way, and I could not have accomplished so much without your support. You have my sincere thanks, and I hope you’ll join me for this final chapter.”
Run for Bernie's seat
You can bet that if he stays in politics Peter Shumlin will likely be running for the US Senate in 2020. He will be young enough to grab a couple of terms to wrap up his Democratic Party loyalties. He may also accept if offered an ambassadorship.
Maybe Peter will go back to private practice, but….