WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Republicans running for three seats representing Windsor County in the state Senate call for cutting back state spending, reducing regulations and a more balanced mix of political views in the state’s Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Four candidates — Jonathan Gleason, of Ludlow, Andrea Murray, of Weathersfield, Robert Ruhlin, of Cavendish, and Jack Williams, of Weathersfield — are seeking the Republican Party nomination in the Windsor District to fill three open seats in the state Senate.

In email interviews, three of the candidates discussed their political priorities and their thoughts on education funding and climate change readiness.

Ruhlin did not respond to phone and email messages seeking answers to interview questions by deadline. Ruhlin and Murray also declined to be photographed for the story.

Jonathan Gleason

Gleason, 55, describes himself as a political moderate and an admirer of Republicans such as Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, currently of Utah, formerly Massachusetts governor, due to their ability to work effectively with people of opposing views. 

“The Vermont Senate has become politically polarized and has lost the balance required to ensure all Vermonters have a fair and equitable voice,” Gleason said. “I would work towards restoring a feeling of collaboration, inclusion and belonging to the electorate.”

Gleason, a ski instructor with a background in business and finance, has not previously held public office. 

He expressed concern about young adults leaving the state to seek other opportunities, or disengaging from political participation or community involvement. Retaining Vermont’s youth is critical to supporting the economy and preserving the state’s tradition of locally governed towns and cities, he said. 

“We need to make economic opportunities available to all Vermonters, especially the younger generation,” Gleason said. “Good paying jobs and affordable housing are paramount to attracting and maintaining valuable people to our communities.”

While not in support of costly environmental regulations, Gleason said that the state needs to educate citizens about the ramifications of climate change, including severe weather events. The state also must explore engineering improvements to infrastructure, particularly in developed areas that are vulnerable to flooding, he said. 

On education funding, Gleason supports a comprehensive investigation into per pupil cost structures and fiscally sustainable approaches to providing an equitable and quality education for students. 

“School budgets have been increasing and student populations have been decreasing (but) I am optimistic that an affordable, sustainable common sense solution can be achieved,” he said. 

Andrea Murray

Murray, a farmer and small business owner from Weathersfield, is seeking her first election to a public office. Her spouse, August Murray chairs the Windsor County Republican Party. 

If elected, Murray said she intends to push for lower taxation and fiscal restraint — and against the Legislature’s Democratic majority. 

“It is time Windsor District citizens had representation that believes their money is best spent by them and not redistributed by an out-of-control supermajority,” Murray said.

Murray’s top legislative priorities include housing affordability and job creation. She said she supported Scott’s proposals in 2024 to increase affordable housing, including by reforming zoning and permitting regulations that slow housing construction, and by providing developers with tax incentives to restore blighted residential properties or convert buildings into housing. 

“To attract and retain talented young people, we must provide affordable housing, improve public safety, and enhance quality of life,” Murray said. “This includes making strategic investments in housing and infrastructure, as well as streamlining regulations to make it easier for businesses to thrive. We need to decrease government spending, lower taxes and incentivize businesses to operate.”

On climate change, Murray said she opposes the state’s use of regulatory mandates on utilities and heating fuel companies, which she believes lead to higher energy costs to consumers. 

To mitigate damage caused by flooding, she said towns should work collaboratively with state and federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. 

On education funding, Murray said that policies are need to improve the efficiency of school operations and to maintain a sustainable tax burden. 

“Paying more and getting less in our children's education is unacceptable,” Murray said. “Funding an endless series of studies only to see double-digit tax increases is insane and making taxpayers suffer from their property tax increases is not the answer.” 

Jack Williams

Williams, 75, also is seeking his first election to public office. Now retired, Williams worked 30 years in the Vermont Agency of Transportation and served 20 years in the U.S. Army. 

“In each of those positions I have held leadership positions, worked effectively as a team member, developed new programs, and worked tirelessly to accomplish the mission,” Williams said in an interview. “But it takes more than experience and credentials to be an effective legislator; You must love your country and all the good that it stands for.”

If elected, Williams said he intends to propose amending the state constitution to provide citizens with a legal process to propose and adopt constitutional amendments, create or repeal laws or veto legislation. 

“(In) a free and democratic country, citizens must have the right to a voice in their government other than by electing (officials) or by voting (them) out of office at election time,” he said.

On the issue of climate change, Williams criticized Vermont’s signature climate bill, the Global Warming Solutions Act. Signed into law in 2020, the act requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas pollution to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below by 2050.

“This act was written into law by a partisan state legislature made up of people totally unqualified to hold public office,” Williams said. He also asserted that Vermont’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint will have little impact on a global scale. 

To better adapt to severe weather conditions such as flooding, the state should be working with professional engineers to develop its policies, rather than politicians, Williams said. 

On education funding, Williams recommends eliminating “wasteful and frivolous expenditures”, reconsidering rules that increase funds to districts serving students with greater learning needs, a cap on the homestead property tax rate and exempting individuals ages 65 or older from paying the homestead tax. 

“This low property tax rate, plus exempting seniors from paying property taxes, would attract a large number of people to move (to Vermont) from other states to work and retire, thereby adding to the overall economy of the state,” Williams said. 

Vermont’s primary election for major party candidates will be held on Tuesday, Aug, 13. The general election for state and federal offices will be on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The Bugbee Senior Center, in White River Junction, will host a forum for all Windsor District Senate candidates on Tuesday, Aug. 6,, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Patrick Adrian may be reached at padrian@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.