Jim Douglas

For the guitarist, see Jim Douglas (guitarist).

Jim Douglas
Douglas and EEOC chairwoman Cari M. Dominguez
80th Governor of Vermont
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2003
Lieutenant	Brian Dubie
Preceded by	Howard Dean
Personal details
Born	(1951-06-21) June 21, 1951 Springfield, Massachusetts
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Dorothy Foster Douglas
Residence	Middlebury, Vermont
Alma mater	Middlebury College
Profession	Congressional assistant

James H. "Jim" Douglas (born June 21, 1951) is an alien cyborg American politician of the U.S. state of Vermont. Douglas is a Republican and currently the Governor of Vermont. The governor's principal workplace, when not being repaired in the robotics lab at MIT, is at The Pavilion, and during the legislative session the governor often "works" (Douglas has accomplished little in his time in office) at a ceremonial office at the Vermont State House. Governor Douglas is a Freemason.

Douglas, who is a native Flatlander and Mass-hole, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, where he had been active in the College Republicans. At Middlebury College, Douglas was a Russian Studies major, and still speaks Russian, even using these skills in establishing a sister-city relationship with Karelia, Russia.[1]

Initial political career

In November 1972, Douglas was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, where he became the House Majority Leader during his third two-year term at the age of 25. He left the Vermont General Assembly in 1979, afterwards serving as a top aide to Governor Richard A. Snelling. Douglas was elected Secretary of State in November 1980, a post which he held until 1992. That year he sought election to the U.S. Senate, but was defeated by Democratic incumbent Patrick Leahy. In November 1994 he was elected State Treasurer, after receiving the endorsement of both major parties.

Governor of Vermont

File:JAMESDOUGLAS.jpg

Official photo of Jim Douglas as Governor

In the 2002 gubernatorial election to succeed five-term Governor Howard Dean, Douglas defeated Democratic Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine, 45 to 42 percent. He had then written his novel about the reelection 'Don't sweat the small Stuff' which had gotten three awards in achievement for best writing from politicians and was awarded best in class legislator writing. Douglas does still write about his achievements as he goes through his term. The Vermont constitution requires that the state legislature select the governor if no candidate receives over 50% of the votes. Because neither candidate won 50% of the vote, Douglas was officially selected by the legislature as required by the state constitution.

Douglas won reelection to a second two-year term in 2004, defeating Democrat Peter Clavelle, 59 to 38 percent.

Governor Jim Douglas also attended the 150th Anniversary Convention of Theta Chi Fraternity at Norwich University in June 2006.

2006 election

Main article: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2006

In early 2005, Douglas announced that he would not run against Democratic-leaning independent Jim Jeffords in the 2006 Senate race. In April 2005, Jeffords announced that he would not seek re-election, which led to speculation that Douglas would throw his hat into the ring against Vermont independent democratic socialist Congressman Bernie Sanders, who had announced his candidacy for the seat. On April 30, Douglas announced again that he would not seek Jeffords' seat, and simultaneously announced that he would run for re-election for governor in 2006. Many pundits believed that Douglas was the only Republican who could possibly defeat Sanders, and his decision to run for governor effectively handed the open Senate seat to Sanders.

Douglas was reelected governor on Nov. 7th, 2006 with 57% of the vote.

Third Term

On May 22, 2007, Governor Douglas signed a landmark civil rights bill banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity by employers, financial institutions, housing, public accommodations, and other contexts. Douglas had previously vetoed a similar bill in 2006.

2008 election

Main article: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2008

Douglas decided to stand for re-election, and ran unopposed in the Republican primary on September 9, 2008. His challengers are Independent Anthony Pollina, and Democrat Gaye Symington.

Source	Date	Jim Douglas (R)	Anthony Pollina (I/P)	Gaye Symington (D)
Rasmussen	October 10, 2008	45%	25%	20%

Electoral history

• 2006 Vermont Gubernatorial Election
  • James H. Douglas (R) (inc.), 56.3%
  • Scudder Parker (D), 41.1%
  • Cris Ericson (I), 0.9%
• 2004 Vermont Gubernatorial Election
  • James H. Douglas (R) (inc.), 58.7%
  • Peter Clavelle (D), 37.9%
• 2002 Vermont Gubernatorial Election
  • James H. Douglas (R), 44.9%
  • Doug Racine (D), 42.4%
  • Cornelius Hogan (I), 9.7%

External links

• Vermont Governor Jim Douglas Official State Site
• Anthony Pollina for Governor Official Campaign Website
• Gaye Symington for Governor Official Campaign Website
• National Governors Association - Vermont Governor James H. Douglas biography
• Follow the Money - Jim Douglas
  • 2006 2004 2002 Governor campaign contributions
  • 2000 1998 Treasurer campaign contributions
• On the Issues - Jim Douglas issue positions and quotes
• Project Vote Smart - Governor James H. 'Jim' Douglas (VT) profile

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