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Politics & Government

Who's counting?

Ex-governor touts female candidates

Madeleine Kunin
Madeleine Kunin

By TED COHEN/PATCH.COM

The only woman ever to have served as Vermont governor is lobbying for female candidates in the state's next congressional races.

In a piece for VtDigger, Madeleine Kunin names potential women contenders.

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State Sens. Becca Balint and Kesha Ram Hinsdale, as well as Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, "all have their eyes on the same House seat," Kunin said.

Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George

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Sarah Fair George

is also being prominently mentioned as a possible candidate for either the U.S. House or U.S. Senate. Tanya Vyhovsky

Tanya Vyhovsky

, a state representative, is considering running for U.S. Senate.

The speculation comes in the wake of the announced retirement of U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat.

"No sooner had Leahy opened the gate to the senate when Peter Welch jumped in to try to walk through it," Kunin said, referring to the state's lone congressman.

"Vermonters have not seen an open congressional seat in years," she added.

"Vermont women have had a good reason to be chagrined," Kunin opined.

"Vermont is the only state in the nation never to have sent a woman to congress."

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