If he runs for reelection this fall, Vermont Republican Party chairman Jack Lindley can expect a battle.
According to several top GOPers, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and his merry band of moderate Republicans have been beating the bushes in recent months to drum up a challenger to Lindley (Pictured at right).
“I think we need a change,” Scott says, before dropping the inevitable stock-car metaphor. “It’s nothing against Jack. I think he’s tried to do the best he can, but it’s almost like a change in crew chiefs on a racing team or a change in coaches or managers on a baseball team. Sometimes you need to change things up to get better results.”
So who might challenge Lindley?
“There’s a few people that have shown some interest, and I don’t think we’ve decided right now,” Scott says. “But obviously I think there are a number of people who would like to see some changes in the party, so we’re hoping to have a candidate.”
Among the names Seven Days has heard bandied about are Chittenden County Republican Party chairman Jeff Bartley, former Chittenden representative Jim Eckhardt, former Rutland Town representative David Sunderland and 2012 Franklin County state senate candidate Joe Sinagra.
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“while Lindley has referred to Scott and other moderates as “Democrat-lite.”
Well Mr Lindley, those are the type of Republicans that are going to get elected. You can get some moderates elected and shift the balance of power or you can stamp your feet, hold your breath and send extremists to campaign loss after campaign loss while Scummy and the rest continue to sink this state.
If your attitude is that we need to offset the extreme liberals with extreme conservatives your services are not needed.
Is that photo from the Vermont GOP??? Or are they casting a new Mr. Potter for a remake of “It’s a wonderful life”?