Why I’m running for Governor of Vermont

Vermont is My Home

I was born in Vermont, and growing up here, I learned the value of community. I learned that as Vermonters, we look out for each other and help each other when difficulty arises. We don’t blame each other for the trouble that faces us; instead we pull together and forge ahead. I also learned that hard work and determination pay off.

The Vermont I grew up in had opportunities for all Vermonters – I knew as a young man that if I worked hard, I would get ahead. My parents taught me this – they believed it because it was true for them. Starting with a gas station, they built a business that supported a family of five and provided jobs for several more. They got ahead.

Today, I hear from far too many parents that they no longer believe that their children will have a better life than they do – in fact, many fear that their children will be worse off because they don’t see the opportunities to get ahead, even when they are working as hard as possible.

These Vermonters are not seeing the rewards of their hard work. Instead, they are living every day with worry – worry about how they will feed their children, heat their homes, and get healthcare when they need it. Even worse, many have lost their jobs or fear that they will.

We Must All Work Together

Too many of our leaders tell us that we have to wait for the crisis to pass, that we must lower our hopes and expectations. I don’t agree. Rather, we must work together as neighbors and as Vermonters to make sure there is opportunity here for all of us.

We must face our challenges head on, and stand for nothing less than opportunity for all. We must discard what is not working, keep what is, and come up with new ideas to create new opportunities. We must examine every aspect of our government and ensure that we are not wasteful, and that we are compassionate. We must insist on competency, service, and fairness. Our government must work for us – for all of us.

We Have a Strong Foundation

Vermont has so many strengths. Our Green Mountains, our beautiful valleys, our lakes and rivers, all make Vermont a wonderful place to live and play. Our hard-working people make Vermont a fine place to do business. Our history of respect for all makes Vermont a safe place to raise a family. We must build on these strengths – as we have in the past – and look toward the future with determination, with vision, and with an expectation that tomorrow will be better than today.

We have done this before, and we will again. We must act with hope and with determination, and we must act together. Just as neighbors pull together in a crisis, we must stand shoulder to shoulder to solve our common problems.

We Must Invest in Our Future

We start by making sure that every Vermonter who wants a job can get a job, and that the job will pay a living wage. We must ensure that every Vermonter has access to affordable, quality healthcare. We must ensure that every Vermont child is ready to learn when they get to kindergarten that first day. We must ensure that the way we meet our energy demands does not sacrifice our future. We must ensure that every Vermonter has access to broadband and cell phone service. We must ensure that our roads and bridges are well-maintained and ready for the demands placed upon them.

Because of the decisions we’ve made in the past, Vermont is a great place to live. Let’s keep it that way.

I Believe in Vermont and in Vermonters

I want to be the Governor of Vermont because I am proud of Vermont and proud of Vermonters. I know that we can work together to bring creativity and innovation to our economic development, our healthcare system, and our energy future. I know that we can make Vermont not only the best place for us to live, but the best place for our children, and for their children as well. I believe in Vermont and I believe in you. I hope that you will believe in me, too, so together,we can create a future of hope, opportunity, and high expectations.

Read about Doug Racine’s history of leadership »
Read about Doug Racine’s positions on important issues »