Press: Several Dems may run for state Senate

Bennington Banner, July 12, 2004

BENNINGTON — A number of local Democrats have expressed interest in running for the state Senate if nominations for both Bennington district seats are not decided in the Aug. 13 primary.

While meeting this month to discuss the possible need to select a Senate candidate for the November ballot, the Bennington County Democratic Committee heard from five prospective candidates and learned there are about 20 individuals who have considered running.

County committee Chairman Jim Ramsey said a special meeting was held July 1 to discuss nominations for the Senate seats in light of the unexpected death of longtime Sen. Dick Sears in June, whose name will still appear on the Democratic primary ballot.

Although Robert Plunkett of Bennington has announced a write-in campaign in the primary, should he fail to out-poll Sears, the county committee could play a role in selecting a nominee for November.

There is a candidate listed along with Sears on the Democratic primary ballot for one of the Bennington district’s Senate nominations — current state Rep. Seth Bongartz, D-Manchester.

Both district seats are open this year because current Sen. Brian Campion, D-Bennington, is not running for another term, which was announced before Sears died in June, after his name had been officially placed on the primary ballot.

Ramsey, of Manchester, said five Democrats spoke of their interest in running for the Senate during a special meeting of county Democrats on July 1.

They are Plunkett, a longtime deputy state’s attorney in the Bennington County office; Asher Edelson, who is currently a candidate for the Legislature from the Bennington-2 House district; Will Greer, who also is running for the House in the Bennington-2 district; Kate Seaton, of Shaftsbury, a recent graduate of the Emerge National Boot Camp and a party activist; and Jonathan West, of Manchester, a member of the town Selectboard and chair of Manchester's Democratic Committee.

Ramsey said nearly 20 individuals have expressed an interest in a possible run for the Senate.

Ramsey said another county committee meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 14, the day after the Democratic Primary, to discuss the voting results.

If Plunkett or any other write-in candidate out-polls Dick Sears in the primary, he said, that would likely give the party two candidates for the November ballot without further action.

Ramsey said of Plunkett: “He is out there (as a write-in candidate) and there may be others who will join him.”

But the need for the county committee to choose a nominee for the November election would likely only emerge “if the late Dick Sears is elected,” Ramsey said.

Because he is on the primary ballot, Bongartz is considered the likely second Democratic nominee unless he were to be out-polled by a write-in candidate and Sears.

Ramsey said he was pleased by the strong interest expressed among party members considering a bid for a state Senate seat.

“The July 1 meeting was a good indicator of the strengthening vitality of the Democratic Party in Bennington County,” he said, “and I am certain we will see these leaders and others serving in their communities in many ways, in addition to serving in the state Legislature.”

Ramsey said anyone seeking further information should contact him at info@benndems.org.

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