Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle came across the river to his boyhood home to announce his plan to unseat incumbent Republican Governor James Douglas in November. In a speech to a group of 500 supporters in Winooski's Champlain Mill, Clavelle said the race is about either letting "a Republican minority become entrenched in Montpelier or electing a government that truly represents all of us."       Clavelle, 54, is currently serving his seventh term as mayor of Vermont's largest city. He was first elected in 1989 as an Independent. After joining Burlington's left-leaning Progressive Party, he was reelected in 1991. His 1993 mayoral defeat is attributed, in part, to his support for the extension of domestic partner benefits to city employees. After a 2-year hiatus, Burlington voters returned him to office.
       Prior to announcing his candidacy for governor, Clavelle joined the Democratic Party. His campaign web site calls for "bold leadership, a clear vision, and a commitment to make government work for ordinary citizens." His priorities include health care for all Vermonters, a sustainable economy, a rational energy policy, and a healthy environment.
       At his campaign announcement speech, Clavelle said Vermont is a wonderful state that can do better. "With this goal of making this state better for us and our neighbors today, and for our children and grandchildren tomorrow that I announce, here in Winooski, that I am running to become Vermont's next governor," he said to spirited applause. "What I have done in my 30 years of public service is committed myself to building stronger communities, stronger communities where everyone has the chance to build a better life for them and for their family. Together we have made a dramatic difference in the life of the people of the city of Burlington."
       In an interview with OITM, Clavelle said he hopes to earn the support of gay and lesbian Vermonters. "I will bring a record of 30 years of experience to the governor's office, a vision for Vermont that I think is lacking today, and a proven record of addressing and taking on the issues that are important to Vermont's glbt community," he
said. "Protecting workers' rights, creating jobs with livable wages,
affordable housing, protecting the environment, and standing up for
civil rights for all of us."
       When questioned on specific issues currently facing the Vermont legislature, Clavelle said he supports strengthening the state's anti-harassment laws in schools, supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity. "I'm not familiar with that particular bill but certainly every Vermonter should be protected from discrimination," he said.
       Clavelle supports Vermont's civil union law and opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment which would make gay marriages illegal nationwide. "I am opposed to the effort of the Bush administration to amend the (U.S.) Constitution," he said. Clavelle also opposes a similar amendment to the Vermont Constitution.
       The mayor's campaign strategy seems to be aimed at aligning first-term Gov. James Douglas (R) with President George W. Bush. "Our current Governor leads George Bush's reelection effort in Vermont," Clavelle said in his campaign announcement speech. "Our current Governor is long on rhetoric and short on action, action that will really help Vermonters. Vermont must do better. As Governor, I will not be the cheerleader for George W. Bush."

Paul Olsen lives in Colchester and also writes for the Boston-based In
Newsweekly.