Ex-state senator considers run for governor
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By Louis Porter VERMONT PRESS BUREAU - Published: September 24, 2009
MONTPELIER — Former State Sen. Matt Dunne is considering a run for governor.
"I have a timeline of November of this year to make a decision about my participation in the election process in the state of Vermont," Dunne said Wednesday by telephone.
Dunne, 39, said he has been hearing from many people around the state encouraging him to run, is seriously considering the possibility and is excited by the idea of "a strong grassroots campaign about the future."
If Dunne successfully navigates what is likely to be a crowded Democratic primary in the wake of Gov. James Douglas' decision not to seek re-election, it is possible he would again face Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who is also considering a bid for the top political job in the state. Dunne lost a campaign against Dubie, the incumbent, by 51 percent to 45 percent in what was the closest margin for Dubie in a statewide election.
Dunne, who works for Google, lives in Hartland. He needs to make sure the company and his family is ready for him to run a statewide election, but added there are several issues of importance to the state that prompt him to consider a bid for governor.
"There is nothing that can stop us from bringing high-speed Internet to every home in the state," Dunne said. "Now more than ever we need to be putting the tools in the hands of entrepreneurs from Vermont."
Dunne said he decided not to run for office in 2008 in part because his wife was expecting their second son at the time.
"I may be passionate about our state, but I do try to set some priorities," he said.
Dunne was elected to the Vermont House in 1992. He left in 2000 to run Americorps VISTA, returning for two two-year terms in the State Senate from Windsor County in 2002.
Given the problems besetting the national health care reform efforts, "we have a renewed opportunity to be a leader in the nation in health care reform," Dunne said.
"I am quite flattered by the number of people who have contacted me to encourage me to run," said Dunne, head of community affairs for Internet giant Google.
Dunne, a Democrat, will not be alone in the race. State Senator and former Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine is running, as are State Sen. Susan Bartlett and Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz. Other Democrats are considering a run, including Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin.
The number of likely contestants in that primary race does not daunt him, Dunne said.
"I know and like all of the people who are currently running or considering running. I have talked to each of them in the past six months," Dunne said. "I think that the possibility of a number of people being in the primary presents an even better opportunity for all of us to present our vision for the future. Vermonters will have a clear choice of who they want to represent them, at least on the Democratic side, in this election."
louis.porter@rutlandherald.com
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