Mark Snelling, the son of former Gov. Richard Snelling and Lt. Gov. Barbara Snelling, just may soon follow in his parents’ footsteps from the business world to the world of politics.
The younger Snelling confirmed to Seven Days that he is seriously considering a run for either governor or lieutenant governor. He joins a growing list of hopefuls to announce gubernatorial intentions after Gov. Jim Douglas announced last week that he won’t seek a fifth term for governor in 2010.
“I’ve spent 35 years in business full time, and my part-timejob has been public policy, and I believe that my set of skills and experienceswould be a particular good fit to meet the challenges that Vermont is facing,”said Snelling.
Snelling, who lives in Starksboro, is currently the president ofthe Snelling Institute, which was created in honor of his father. He also runs Shelburne Corporation, the familybusiness, which makes brass wire products.
He’s also chaired the governor’scouncil of environmental advisers, and been the past chairman of the board ofHousing Vermont, and Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.
His sister, Diane Snelling, serves inthe Vermont Senate and is the only Republican from Chittenden County.
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.
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Shay, when are you announcing that you’re “mulling a bid” for governor? I’m waiting til this fall. Oh, wait…I think I’m waiting til fall to announce that I’m mulling cider. Oops!
Very interesting. With all due respect to the late Gov. Snelling, I considered him one of the worst politicians of all time but he made up for that with his great business mind He never really seemed to give a rats behind of what anyone really thought, he was going to lead his way, a very fiscally responsible way at that. Probably not a bad thing. If Mark steps in and shows he can continue his Dads great financial skills, as well as his mothers, and can show as well the meeting in the middle of his sisters lefter leaning ways this could become an interesting race.Lets start getting ready to get it on in November 2010. Or before that Primarily speaking.
Another ‘family name’ in politics?No thanks. I’ll like to reduce the number of family dynasties we see around the country to an absolute minimum, i.e. zero.