Scott Milne

Last updated

Scott Milne
Scott Milne -- Vermont politician and businessman -- 2017-05-15-3.jpg
Personal details
Born
Scott Edward Milne

(1959-03-10) March 10, 1959 (age 64)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Parent(s) Donald Milne
Marion Milne
Education University of Redlands (BA)
OccupationBusinessman

Scott Edward Milne (born March 10, 1959) [1] is an American businessman and political candidate from North Pomfret, Vermont. [2] A Republican, Milne was the party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont in 2020, losing to Democrat Molly Gray; [3] the nominee for United States Senate in 2016, losing to incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy; and the nominee for Governor of Vermont in 2014, losing to two-term incumbent Peter Shumlin in the closest gubernatorial election in Vermont since 1962.

Contents

Early life and education

Milne was the second of four children born to Donald and Marion Milne in the New York borough of Brooklyn. [1] The family lived in the town of Barre, Vermont, until 1964 then moved to the Orange County town of Washington. Their new home, Twin Brook Farm, had been a working sheep farm for much of the 1800s. [4]

His parents started Milne Travel American Express in 1975. [1] Milne himself was entrepreneurial as a child, "from selling newspapers and rabbits as a kid, to painting houses, to promoting concerts...." Additionally he has worked as a farm laborer, construction worker, grocery store clerk, bartender and waiter, political campaign aide, and investigator for a public defender as an unpaid intern. [4]

Milne graduated from Barre's Spaulding High School in 1977 and attended the University of Vermont for a year. [5] He then transferred to the University of Redlands, where he graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. [1] [5]

In college, Milne was arrested and convicted three times: twice for driving under the influence of alcohol, and once for possession of marijuana and cocaine. [6]

Business and civic life

Milne has worked at Milne Travel since the mid-1980s. It was started by his parents in 1975, and Milne later took over operation of the company. [1]

Milne serves as president of the Vermont Society of Travel Agents and as an advisory board member for the Australian company Travcorp. He was an advisory board member of American Express and Avis. He is involved with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and was president of the Vermont Association of Private and Non-Profit Organizations.

Through Milne Travel, Milne supports more than one hundred civic and non-profit organizations. [4]

In January 2024, Milne and fellow Vermont Republican Myers Mermel purchased the Radio Vermont group, including WDEV, WCVT and WLVB, from the estate of Ken Squier following Squier's death two months prior. The purchase ends 88 years of the Squier family ownership of WDEV. [7]

Political family

Milne's paternal grandfather, Henry Milne, served in Vermont's state House representing Barre. He also worked for U.S. Senator George Aiken and served as state employment commissioner. A Milne cousin, James F. Milne, served as Vermont's secretary of state from 1995 to 1999. [1]

Milne's father Donald served one year in the Vermont House. He also worked as an assistant clerk in Vermont's House and Senate, and as House clerk after 1993. He also made unsuccessful bids for the Legislature and for state's attorney, and was a longtime selectman for the town of Washington. [1]

Milne's mother Marion served three two-year terms in the state House. In 2000, she cast a vote in favor of civil unions, and her subsequent unpopularity among conservative Republicans led to her loss when she ran for re-nomination later that year. Running as an Independent in the general election, she fell short of retaining her seat. [1]

Political life

Milne worked on the 1980 U.S. Senate primary campaign of Stewart Ledbetter, who won the Republican nomination but was defeated in the general election by the incumbent Democrat, Patrick Leahy. In 2000, Milne campaigned door-to-door for his mother as she attempted to retain her legislative seat. [1]

In 2006, Milne won the Republican nomination for a Windsor County seat in the Vermont House of Representatives, and lost to the Democratic nominee, Mark B. Mitchell. [8]

In 2014, Milne was the Republican nominee for governor. He narrowly lost to the Democratic nominee, incumbent Peter Shumlin. [9]

In 2016, Milne was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator, and lost to incumbent Patrick Leahy. [10]

Milne won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2020. He faced Democrat Molly Gray in the general election. [11] Milne hired Republican political operative Jim Barnett for his campaign. [12] In the general election held on November 3, Gray defeated Milne. [13]

Political positions

ProgressVT Plan

In September 2020, Milne released his ProgressVT plan, a ten-pillar approach containing proposed policy reforms he would work towards as lieutenant governor. [14] These include protecting the economically disadvantaged, revitalizing rural Vermont, opening up the lieutenant governor's office, growing the workforce, reforming health care, expanding educational opportunities, streamlining state government, securing our environment, valuing entrepreneurs, and tackling affordability. [14] These include repealing Vermont's tax on Social Security income, eliminating the state taxation of military retirement income, simplifying occupational licensing requirements, bolstering state ethics laws, adjusting child care ratio flexibility, expanding tax credits for entrepreneurs, creating a sales tax holiday for electric vehicles and energy efficient equipment, and streamlining permitting laws, among other reforms. [14]

Legalization of Marijuana

Milne was opposed to the legalization of recreational marijuana. In September 2016, Milne stated that he was opposed to further decriminalization of drugs, and thought that Vermont should pass stricter drug laws. [15]

Firearms

Milne is a proponent of expanding background checks for purchasing firearms, and supports banning certain types of firearm. [15]

Abortion

Milne describes himself as "pro-life", but his campaign has stated that he maintains pro-choice positions while also opposing healthcare providers being forced to offer free birth control coverage. [16] [17]

2014 Vermont gubernatorial election

Milne was the Republican nominee for Governor of Vermont in 2014. He finished in second place in the popular vote with 87,075 votes (45.1 percent). Two-time incumbent Democratic governor, Peter Shumlin, came in first with 89,509 popular votes (46.4 percent). Libertarian candidate Dan Feliciano earned 8,428 (4.4 percent). Because no candidate received 50 percent of the popular vote, the decision was made in Shumlin's favor by the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. Milne was slow to concede defeat, noting that 54 percent of Vermonters voted against the incumbent. [18] He later declined a recount request, citing the expected cost to the state. [19]

According to uncertified results, Milne came within 2,434 votes of beating the two-term incumbent Democratic governor. A challenger had not defeated an incumbent governor in Vermont since 1962 when Phil Hoff, riding the popular wave of President John F. Kennedy, became the first Democratic governor in the state since 1854.[ citation needed ]

Milne declined to call for a recount of the vote—a right he earned by state law by coming within 2%—saying: "It is extremely unlikely, almost unfathomable, that a recount would put either candidate above the 50 percent mark." [19] With no candidate gaining 50% of the popular vote, the election was decided by the 180 members of the Vermont House and Senate in January 2015. [20]

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2014 [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Peter Shumlin 89,50946.36%
Republican Scott Milne87,07545.1%
Libertarian Dan Feliciano8,4284.36%
Independent Emily Peyton3,1571.64%
Liberty Union Peter Diamondstone1,6730.87%
Independent Bernard Peters1,4340.74%
Independent Cris Ericson1,0890.56%
Independent Write-ins7220.37%
Total votes193,087 100.00%

While Shumlin had earned a greater share of the popular vote, Milne had won more districts. [22]

Determining winner

With no candidate receiving a majority, as required by the Vermont Constitution, the Vermont General Assembly decided the election by secret ballot January 8, 2015. [23] Milne had said that if Shumlin won a plurality, he would support him, expecting that Shumlin would do the same if the situation were reversed. [24]

By tradition, the General Assembly almost always selects the candidate who won a plurality in the general election. [25] The most recent selection of a candidate who had not won a plurality was in 1976, when Republican T. Garry Buckley defeated Democrat John Alden for lieutenant governor. [25] In the 2015 vote, Shumlin defeated Milne 110 votes to 69. [26]

2014 Gubernatorial Election Results, Legislative Joint Assembly
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Peter Shumlin 110 61.5%
Republican Scott Milne6938.5%
Total votes179 100.00%

2016 U.S. Senate election

Milne ran in the 2016 U.S. Senate election in Vermont. He was the only declared Republican candidate. [27] [28] Milne faced seven-term Democratic senator Patrick Leahy as well as three minor party candidates. He lost the election, receiving 32% of the vote.

United States Senate election in Vermont, 2016 [29] [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic Patrick Leahy (incumbent) 192,243 59.99% -3.05%
Republican Scott Milne103,63732.34%+2.08%
Marijuana Cris Ericson9,1562.86%+1.76%
Independent Jerry Trudell5,2231.63%N/A
Liberty Union Peter Diamondstone 3,2411.01%0.40%
Write-ins3090.10%N/A
Spoiled votes4660.15%N/A
Blank votes6,1921.93%N/A
Majority88,60627.65%
Total votes320,467 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

2020 Vermont lieutenant governor election

In 2020, Milne defeated several minor candidates to win the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. [31] The Democratic nomination was won by Molly Gray. [32] In the general election, Gray defeated Milne and Progressive nominee Cris Ericson. [33]

Republican primary

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Scott Milne 26,817 51.5
Republican Meg Hansen 16,87532.4
Republican Dwayne Tucker 3,0665.9
Republican Dana Colson 2,7365.2
Republican Jim Hogue 1,9443.7
Write-in Write-ins6801.3
Total votes52,118 100.0

General election

2020 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Molly Gray 182,820 51.3
Republican Scott Milne157,06544.1
Progressive Cris Ericson 7,8622.2
Independent Wayne Billado III 5,1011.4
Stop the F35s Ralph Corbo 2,2890.6
Write-in Write-ins1,0970.3
Total votes356,234 100.0

Personal life

Milne resides in the unincorporated community of North Pomfret, Vermont, located within the town of Pomfret, and is a divorced father of two grown children. [1]

In 2006, Milne suffered an ischemic stroke, but reportedly recovered with "very little residual effect." [34]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hallenbeck, Terri (October 28, 2014). "Scott Milne: A complicated candidate". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Scott Milne". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  3. ↑ Ledbetter, Stewart (May 27, 2016). "Milne enters U.S. Senate race, makes Leahy incumbency an issue". WPTZ. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Biography". Milne for Vermont. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Krantz, Laura (October 27, 2014). "In Profile: Scott Milne, a survivor who wants to win". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT.
  6. ↑ Goswami, Neal P. (July 3, 2014). "Candidate for governor candid about cocaine, DUI arrests". Brunswick Publishing, LLC. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  7. ↑ Venta, Lance (January 11, 2024). "Mermel & McLain Management Acquire Radio Vermont Group". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2006 General Election Results". Vermont Secretary of State Elections Division. State of Vermont. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  9. ↑ "2014 Governor General Election". Vermont Secretary of State Elections Division. State of Vermont. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ "2016 U.S. Senate General Election". Vermont Secretary of State Elections Division. State of Vermont. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Official Report of the Canvassing Committee: United States and Vermont Statewide Offices" (PDF). Vermont Secretary of State. State of Vermont. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  12. ↑ Norton, Kit (October 21, 2020). "Jim Barnett returns to Vermont politics, putting his 'nasty' touch on Milne's campaign". VT Digger. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Newcomer Molly Gray defeats Scott Milne in Lt. governor's race". Vermont Community Newspaper Group. Stowe, VT. November 5, 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 Milne, Scott. "ProgressVT" (PDF).
  15. 1 2 "Scott Milne in State of Vermont Archives". On The Issues.
  16. ↑ Meyn, Colin (September 20, 2020). "Planned Parenthood stays out of Vermont's race for governor — again" . Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Scott Milne on Abortion". On The Issues. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  18. ↑ "MILNE CALLS SHUMLIN'S CLAIM OF VICTORY PREMATURE". Rutland Herald. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  19. 1 2 Burbank, April (November 12, 2014). "Shumlin leads in final tally, Milne declines recount". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ Heintz, Paul (November 12, 2014). "Close Call: Seven Reasons Shumlin Nearly Lost". Seven Days. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Unofficial Results - General Election - November 4, 2014". Vermont Secretary of State. November 8, 2014. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  22. ↑ Krantz, Laura (November 6, 2014). "Milne Exploring All Options". VTDigger. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Shumlin defeats Milne in Legislature governor vote". Burlington Free Press. January 8, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Plurality or politics?". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  25. 1 2 "Close election recalls recent recounts". The Burlington Free Press. November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  26. ↑ Free Press Staff (January 9, 2015) [January 7, 2015]. "Shumlin defeats Milne in Legislature governor vote". The Burlington Free Press . Burlington, VT.
  27. ↑ Heintz, Paul (October 5, 2015). "Scott Milne Considers Challenging Patrick Leahy". Seven Days . Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  28. ↑ Gram, Dave (May 26, 2016). "Milne hopes to unseat Sen. Leahy". The Burlington Free Press . Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Vermont Election Results". Burlington Free Press.
  30. ↑ "Official Results - General Election - November 8, 2016". Vermont Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  31. ↑ Beard, Riley; Bakuli, Ethan (August 11, 2020). "Vermont primary election results: Scott wins GOP nomination, Zuckerman gets Democratic nom".
  32. ↑ Wertlieb, Mitch (July 16, 2020). "Democratic Lieutenant Governor Primary Race 2020: Molly Gray". VPR.org. Colchester, VT: Vermont Public radio.
  33. ↑ "2020 Vermont Lieutenant Governor Election Results". Aberdeen News . Aberdeen, SD. November 17, 2020 [November 3, 2020].
  34. ↑ Hirschfeld, Peter (July 3, 2014). "Scott Milne Says DUI, Cocaine Arrests Made For 'Powerful Life Lessons'". Vermont Public Radio. VPR. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Vermont
2014 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. senator from Vermont
(Class 3)
2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2020 		Succeeded by
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