Sen. Sam Douglass (R-Orleans) announced last week he would resign effective noon Monday after racist and hateful comments he and his wife made in a Young Republicans group chat were leaked. But as of Tuesday, Oct. 21, his resignation had not been formally submitted.
John Bloomer, secretary of the Vermont Senate, said he had not received a resignation letter from Douglass. The governor's office also reported no official notice. Under Vermont law, resignation letters must be submitted to the governor, lieutenant governor, or secretary of the Senate.
Douglass also remains chair of the Orleans County Republican Committee, the body that would help recommend his replacement to Gov. Phil Scott. Chet Greenwood, the committee's treasurer, said Douglass had not stepped down from the position and that the committee had not yet begun the process of nominating a successor. A meeting must be warned at least three days in advance.
Greenwood said it would be "hard for him to keep his position" as chair. The county GOP is expected to submit a list of recommended replacements to Scott, who can take as long as he wants to make an appointment.
Meanwhile, Gaston Bathalon, a Democrat from Troy, announced Monday he would run for the seat in the November 2026 election. He is an Army veteran and serves on the Troy Selectboard and local school boards.
Originally reported by VTDigger.
Photo: Mingyang LIU via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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