Meet the Candidates: Deb Markowitz

 

Vermont can grow jobs by harnessing our renewable energy resources and by investing in energy conservation. Deb will make the clean energy economy a priority in Vermont so that we can lead the nation once again, while ending our dependence on foreign oil and other fossil fuels.

 

Deb believes in the power and responsibility of citizens and communities to come together to solve problems. She has spent much of her time helping towns and citizens address challenges - whether wind towers in Searsburg, land development in St Albans, or tax issues in Addison.

 

Deb is a champion of open and accountable government and she has fought attempts to weaken our sunshine laws. She eliminated a backlog of professional licensing complaints in the office of Professional Regulation and she strengthened the office's prosecutions to protect Vermonters from neglect, fraud and abuse. She championed a progressive election reform agenda that has made it easier to vote and harder to cheat in our elections.

 

Her work in the executive branch includes her Administration $8.1 million dollar budget. She has balanced the budget every year after inheriting deficits from her predecessor and reduced its size, while making services for Vermonters more efficient and available.

 

Deb became Secretary of State in 1999 after beating a two-term incumbent in her first attempt at elected office. She has won six state wide elections and has won every town in Vermont with Republicans and Progressives in the races.  She is a University of Vermont alumnae and received her law degree from Georgetown University. Deb and her husband Paul live in Montpelier with their three children.

 

For more information you may go to: www.debforvermont.com/