“I cannot vote for Donald Trump,” Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican candidate for governor, said Wednesday during a break from presiding over the Senate. Scott has condemned Trump throughout the presidential campaign, once referring to him as “offensive.”
But Scott said Wednesday that he won’t vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton either, if she’s the Democratic nominee. He indicated he could skip that line on the November ballot or write in another name. He didn’t mention Clinton’s primary opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
Bruce Lisman, another Republican candidate for governor, apparently hasn’t decided whether he will support Trump.
“In the coming days, I will carefully evaluate Donald Trump’s candidacy and listen to what he has to say,” Lisman said in an email Wednesday. “In the meantime, I wish to thank all of the candidates for president and wish them well.” Seven Days asked Lisman to elaborate, but both he and his campaign manager did not respond.
In previous interviews, Lisman has declined to give a definitive statement about his views on Trump.
In March, the retired Wall Street banker told Seven Days: “If or when Mr. Trump is nominated, I’ll worry about it then.” Of Trump’s controversial comments, he said: “I don’t know how much of this is real and how much of it is rhetoric.”
Both Lisman and Scott had been supporting Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who dropped out of the race Wednesday. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) left the race Tuesday night, leaving Trump the presumed Republican nominee.
For Vermont Republicans, standing with Trump could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, Trump is energizing a crowd of voters angry at the status quo, and he won the votes of 19,974 Vermonters in the Republican primary in March. On the other hand, no statewide candidate can win in Vermont without support from Democrats and independents who might find Trump repulsive.
“I just don’t support anybody,” Scott said Wednesday. “I just may not (vote for a presidential candidate),” he said.
In a statement issued later Wednesday, Scott indicated he didn’t trust Clinton.
“I’m running for Governor to restore faith and trust in state government and I’d like to have a president who can restore faith and trust in the federal government as well,” Scott said. “I’m not going to tell Vermonters which presidential candidate to vote for, but as an individual voter, I want my vote to reflect my priorities for our country, and that may require a write-in vote.”
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I can’t help but be impressed by Phil Scott’s strength of character and plain speaking on controversial issues like Trump’s candidacy. But I don’t think badly of retired Wall Street executive Bruce Lisman’s equivocating on Trump’s suitability to be the Republican nominee. I think many candidates are afraid, Republican and Democrat alike, to defy their party’s leadership or go against popular opinion. Taking a stand either way means alienating a large bloc of voters, Lisman is simply trying to say what will help get him elected governor. No matter what you think about Trump, it’s been refreshing to see so many prominent conservatives around the country take a stand on an issue requiring great political courage, a quality that is much-needed and always in short supply.
I cannot vote for either Trump nor Clinton. At this point I see them as equally repugnant and dangerous. Hence, I plan to write in my dog’s name: KATE G SHEPHERD.
By not voting for Hillary- if she’s the nominee, they are voting for Trump.
I’m disappointed in Phil Scott. This is similar to Gov. Shumlin doubling down on the healthcare exchange because he took an early position on it that he should not have done. Use your head and think Phil; things change and things evolve. Phil Scott’s position is irresponsible and threatens to put a second consecutive thieving liar in the Oval Office. Vermonters deserve much better from someone who wants to be our Governor. As I sit on the fence with Mr. Scott and Mr. Lisman, this becomes an issue for this now independent, former Democrat.
I was for Phil Scott for Governor till I heard he was not going to vote or support Donald Trump for President.The United States Of America needs a leader to sav.e this Country. The Republicans need to win the White House and control the House and Senate. We can do this with Donald Trump. Any Republican who does not support the whole Republican Ticket is not a Republican. This August 9th I will not be voting for Phil Scott. He does not believe in a better Vermont or a Country that needs to be saved. 4 more years with the Democrats in control and we will no longer have a United States Of America. VOTE TRUMP and Wake Up Phil Scott. My Country is more Important than Phil Scott.