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Maverick Senator Jeffords to Retire
Maverick Senator Jeffords to Retire
by Paul Olsen
Burlington – Independent U.S. Sen. James Jeffords' decision to retire rather than seek reelection in 2006 set off a game of political musical chairs with politicians from throughout Vermont deciding what their next move would be.
Jeffords unexpectedly announced his retirement on April 20. "After much thought and consultation with my family and staff, I have decided to close this chapter of my service to Vermont, and not seek re-election in 2006," he said.
"Between now and the end of my term, I will be working overtime to accomplish as much as I can for Vermont, in education, the environment, agriculture, health care and so many other areas."
Since being elected to the Senate in 1988, Jeffords has received favorable ratings from the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington DC-based gay advocacy group. He also received a National Leadership Award from AIDS Action and cosponsors the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to outlaw employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Although he supports Vermont's civil union law enacted in 2000, Jeffords voted for the antigay Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996.
In 2001, Jeffords made history by abandoning the GOP and temporarily handing control of the U.S. Senate to the Democratic Party.
Gay activists were quick to praise Vermont's retiring senator. "Senator Jeffords has been a strong advocate for equality and will truly be missed," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said. "Through the years, the Senator has stood on the side of fairness for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. From his work leading the charge to fight employment discrimination, to being a driving force on the Ryan White CARE Act, to his efforts to reform pension plans for equitable treatment, to his own office policy protecting GLBT employees, Senator Jeffords is a strong and independent voice in the fight for equal rights."
Critics were equally fast in celebrating the announcement. "In case you forgot, Jeffords is the U.S. Senator who stabbed President Bush in the back by quitting our Party in 2001 and handing control of the U.S. Senate over to the liberal Democrats led by Tom Daschle," Greg Parke, a former Air Force pilot seeking the GOP nomination for Senate, wrote in a fundraising email to supporters. "His personal act of political treachery helped the Democrats block much of President Bush's first term agenda."
While the race to replace Jeffords began shortly after his announcement, Vermont's gay and lesbian community is left wondering whether he'll be replaced by an equally pro gay legislator.
Independent U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders plans to run for the seat and could easily fill Jeffords' shoes. Sanders has consistently garnered 100 percent positive ratings from the Human Rights Campaign and received a 100 percent rating from the AIDS Action Council. His congressional office maintains a written nondiscrimination policy including sexual orientation, he is a co-sponsor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), and he voted against DOMA.
Likely GOP candidates Lt. Governor Brian Dubie and Greg Parke are unlikely to be as supportive as Sanders.
Dubie opposes Vermont's civil union compromise and supports amending the U.S. Constitution to prohibit gay marriage. In his unsuccessful campaign for the U.S House of Representatives in 2004, Greg Parke pledged to promote "conservative values and principles" and combat "the homosexual agenda."
Burlington businessman Richard Tarrant, a political neophyte, is also interested in the seat.
One candidate who will not seek to replace Jim Jeffords in the U.S. Senate is Republican Governor James Douglas. On April 30 Douglas said he would run for a third term as Governor. "I believe I can make the greatest contribution to improving our state by continuing to serve as governor," he said. "So I will not run for the United States Senate."
Paul Olsen lives and works in Colchester, and also writes for the Boston-based In Newsweekly.