Vermont Election Candidates Featured in Political Forums at JSC

August 19, 2008

Vermont candidates in the November ’08 election will be featured in political forums at Johnson State College.

The series begins Monday, August 25, with Lieutenant Governor Democratic primary candidates Tom Costello of Brattleboro and Nate Freeman of Northfield.

The next forum will be Monday, September 15, with Attorney General incumbent William Sorrell (Democrat) and challenger Karen Karin (Republican).

On Monday, October 13, the candidates for governor will include incumbent Jim Douglas (R), and challengers Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington (D), and Anthony Pollina (Independent).

On Monday, October, 20, candidates for Secretary of State will include incumbent Democrat Deb Markowitz, and challenger Eugene Bifano (R), of Warren.

All forums will be held in the Ellsworth Rooms of the Library and Learning Center at Johnson State College, at 4:30 p.m. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome.

The college forums were started by Senator Bill Doyle (R-Washington County) in 1974. Doyle is a long-serving professor at the college, teaching a Vermont History and Government course. Candidates will present their campaigns, and answer questions from students in Doyle’s class.

“This year’s election will produce an enormous turnout that could almost match the turnout when John F. Kennedy ran,” Doyle predicted. “The election of 2008 has a tremendous following in the US and around the world. I think the Democrats have put up their best candidate, and the Republicans have put up their best candidate.”

Doyle’s class will also be hosting two special presentations this fall. On Thursday, September 18, singer Linda Radtke will present “Vermont History in Song.” On Thursday, September 25, scholar John Duffy will discuss “The (Ethan) Allen Brothers.” Both events will be held in the Ellsworth Rooms of the Library and Learning Center at Johnson State College, from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome.

For more information, contact Bill Doyle at 802-371-7898.