NEWPORT — Sam Douglass, a Republican from Troy seeking to replace retiring Sen. Robert Starr, is campaigning on a platform of tax reform, housing accessibility and public safety.
Douglass, who faces Democratic two-term legislator Katherine Sims of Craftsbury in the November election, has secured endorsements from Gov. Phil Scott, former Gov. Jim Douglas, and several Northeast Kingdom legislators.
In an interview, Douglass emphasized his multigenerational Vermont roots and outlined his stance on key issues facing the state. He advocates for property tax caps, a practice he notes is common in other states, and calls for significant reforms to Act 250 to address Vermont’s housing crisis.
“To solve the housing crisis, we need to build a lot of homes, very quickly,” Douglass said, arguing that streamlined regulations would encourage developers to meet both local and out-of-state demand.
On energy policy, Douglass opposes the Affordable Heat Act, citing concerns about potential cost increases for Vermonters. He also questioned the practicality of electric vehicle mandates in rural communities, particularly during winter conditions.
Addressing education funding, Douglass suggests exploring school consolidation options while maintaining educational quality. He proposes examining how other states achieve lower per-pupil costs.
The Republican candidate, who describes himself as coming from a progressive family background, pledged to hold monthly town forums and maintain regular office hours if elected. He emphasized his commitment to working across party lines to address state challenges.
The election is tomorrow.
