Sen. Norm McAllister (R-Franklin) is reconsidering his decision to resign from the Vermont Senate, according to a close ally. 

“I don’t know what made him rethink it, but he has decided — he’s rethinking it is all I can say,” Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland) said Wednesday afternoon. 

Flory has spoken regularly to McAllister since his arrest last Thursday on sexual assault charges. She told Lt. Gov. Phil Scott Monday morning that McAllister had decided to resign and would do so within a day. Scott relayed that information to members of the media. 

In brief interviews with several reporters Monday afternoon, the Franklin County Republican denied that he was stepping down. “I’ve not made up my mind in any which way,” McAllister said.

He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday, nor did his lawyer, Brooks McArthur. 

Flory said McAllister told her Tuesday afternoon he was reconsidering his decision after speaking with his attorney and members of his family. Flory said she did not — and would not — encourage him to resign, though she believes it’s in his best interest.

“I understand the pressure he’s under. I am not going to put him under more pressure. He is the one person who knows what did or didn’t happen in all these allegations, and I am not going to substitute my judgment for his,” she said.

Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell (D-Windsor) said Wednesday he would be disappointed if McAllister chose not to resign.

“I don’t think it’s good for his constituents. I don’t think it’s good for the state. I don’t think it’s good for him, quite frankly,” Campbell said. 

Asked whether the Senate would take any action if McAllister decided to remain in office, Campbell said, “I don’t know exactly what powers we would have, but that’s something I will be looking into.”

According to the Vermont Constitution, “The Senate shall have the like powers to decide on the election and qualifications of, and to expel any of, its members, make its own rules, and appoint its own officers, as are incident to, or are possessed by, the House of Representatives.”

Neither the Constitution nor the Senate rules outline how the Senate would go about expelling a member.

VTDigger.org first reported that McAllister was reconsidering his decision to resign.

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Paul Heintz was part of the Seven Days news team from 2012 to 2020. He served as political editor and wrote the "Fair Game" political column before becoming a staff writer.

5 replies on “McAllister Ally Says He’s Reconsidering Decision to Resign”

  1. This guy is clearly NOT thinking clearly.

    Maybe he needs a psychological evaluation. One can only imagine the grief over the death of one’s spouse must cause, and while that is NO excuse whatsoever, it is a plausible explanation, especially if he is really delusional. Does anyone really know if he is even psychologically sane enough to make decisions for himself? He may be in such a state of total despair that he just can’t think at all.

  2. McAllister probably thinks if he resigns it will make him look guilty, but he already looks guilty.

    IF he is truly innocent, then he should resign for his own sake so he can devote all of his time and energy to proving his innocence.

    OR if he is guilty, then he should resign for his own sake so he can enjoy as much time and relative freedom as possible before he is locked away for the rest of his life.

    Either way, he should resign.

  3. A legislator’s time and energy should be devoted entirely to the people’s business, which is why someone in these circumstances should resign. The standard line is that the person in question is resigning so that he can devote his energies to his defense and because not doing so would be a distraction from his legislative duties. That this old coot has not resigned yet and/or is waffling over resigning, goes to show just how poor his judgment is. It’s hard to believe that any competent attorney would advise him to do anything other than to submit his resignation promptly. It’s almost as hard as believing that anyone elected him to office in the first place.

  4. Flory is incorrect when she says he is the “only” person who knows what did or did not happen.

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