John S. Rodgers (born July 29, 1965) is an American politician who served in the Vermont Senate from the Essex-Orleans district from 2013 to 2021 and in the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Caledonia 1 district from 2003 to 2011.[1] He received a plurality of the vote in the 2024 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election but fell short of a majority, leaving it to the Vermont General Assembly to decide the election.[2]
John S. Rodgers | |
|---|---|
 Rodgers in 2018 | |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from the Essex-Orleans district | |
| In office January 9, 2013 – January 6, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Vincent Illuzzi |
| Succeeded by | Russ Ingalls |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Caledonia 1 district | |
| In office January 8, 2003 – January 5, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | David C. Hathaway |
| Succeeded by | Vicki Strong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 29, 1965 St. Johnsbury, Vermont, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (until 2024) |
Rodgers, a Democrat until 2024, considers himself a moderate Republican.[3]
Early life and education
editRodgers was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont and was raised in Glover, Vermont on the family dairy farm, where he still lives.[4]
He completed his education at Sacred Heart School in Newport, Vermont, in 1983 and subsequently earned an Associate’s Degree from New Hampshire Vocational Technical College in Berlin, New Hampshire, in 1985. Following his graduation, John established JS Rodgers Masonry Inc., a construction business focused on dry stone masonry and excavation work.[4]
Career
editAs a representative of the rural and relatively conservative Northeast Kingdom, Rodgers held some idiosyncratic stances on issues that were at odds with the Democratic Party, which he was a member of until 2024.[5] Most notably, he is a vocal gun control opponent and was one of the most visible opponents of S.55, the first major gun control bill passed in Vermont.[6][7]
He ran as a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont in 2018.[8]
Rodgers proposed a controversial bill proposing the banning of cellphone use for people under the age of 21.[9]
2024 lieutenant gubernatorial election
editIn May 2024, Rodgers declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor challenging the incumbent David Zuckerman.[10] He later became the Republican nominee on August 13, and is endorsed by incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott.[11] Rodgers considers himself a moderate Republican, and had said he would not vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump prior to the 2024 election.[3]
On November 5, he received a plurality of the vote against Zuckerman, with an initial estimate of 46.2% to 44.6%. Green Mountain Peace & Freedom Party nominee Ian Diamondstone finished third with 3.7% percent of the vote.[2]
Because the Constitution of Vermont requires a majority vote for election as lieutenant governor, the Vermont General Assembly will vote in January 2025 to determine the winner. Zuckerman conceded the election on November 7, 2024, but has not declared whether he will contest the January legislative election. Although the General Assembly has always voted to ratify the winner of the popular vote since 1976, Diamondstone has urged the General Assembly to elect Zuckerman on the grounds that a majority of voters supported the two more liberal candidates in the race. In conceding the popular vote, Zuckerman expressed agreement with Diamondstone's argument and said he would "point out those facts" to the legislators, though he said he would not make a "strong effort" on his own behalf and "[didn't] think [the Assembly was] going to decide to do that".[2]
Personal life
editRodgers lives on a farm which has been in his family for over 200 years.[12] He runs a cannabis farm.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Senator John Rodgers". Legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Paul Heintz, Shaun (2024-11-07). "David Zuckerman concedes lieutenant governor's race to John Rodgers — but with a caveat". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Robinson, Shaun (July 26, 2024). "Vermont's Republican lieutenant governor primary puts party affiliation to the test". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Senator John Rodgers". legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ a b Weinstein, Ethan (2024-05-24). "Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Keays, Alan J. (2018-04-10). "UPDATED: Rodgers, vocal gun rights advocate, weighs run for governor". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Freese, Alicia. "Montpeculiar: Rodgers Resurrects Gun Debate in Vermont Senate". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ Freese, Alicia (2018-04-10). "Pro-Gun Vermont Senator John Rodgers Considers Run for Governor". Sevendaysvt.com. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
- ^ Norman, Greg (2020-01-10). "Vermont Democrat lawmaker introduces bill to ban cellphones for people under 21". Fox News. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
- ^ Cutler, Calvin (May 23, 2024). "Rodgers to run for Vermont lieutenant governor". WCAX-TV. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Higdon, Bridget (August 8, 2024). "John S. Rodgers looks for Republican nod for Lt. Governor, says he's an 'average Vermonter'". Milton Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "West Glover's John Rodgers on why there are so few working class people in the Vt. Legislature". 27 April 2023.