This is the kind of Republican who prevails in a place like Vermont. The outgoing Democratic governor is regarded by many as an ineffective failure, and Scott’s opponent had been his transportation secretary. After serving as a state senator for a decade, Scott spent the last six years as lieutenant governor (a part-time position which Vermont elects independent of the chief executive).
The 58-year-old got involved in politics because the state is such an unfriendly place to do business. “I was so frustrated by the obstacles and barriers, and I got so tired of hearing myself complain about it,” the governor-elect explained.
Because the population is so small, Scott has been able to build personal relationships with many voters in the 16 years since he first got involved with politics. That made it hard for Democrats to caricature him as some kind of mini-Trump. He fondly recalls seeing houses with yard signs for him – and Bernie Sanders.
“I am very much a fiscal conservative. But not unlike most Republicans in the Northeast, I’m probably more on the left of center from a social standpoint,” Scott explained. “I am a pro-choice Republican. But there are some areas – late-term abortions and parental notification – I’d be open minded to.
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