Former Human Services
secretary to run for Senate Burlington Free Press - June 9,2004 By Tim McCahill She joins fellow Democrat
Matthew Choate of St. Johnsbury in the race against incumbent Republican
Sens. Julius Canns and Bernier Mayo, who was appointed last year to replace
Robert Ide. Another Northeast
Kingdom Democrat, Rep. Robert Starr of Starr could not be
reached for comment Tuesday, but Democratic Party officials said he would
make an excellent Senate candidate. ìIt's my understanding
that Representative Bobby Starr has been encouraged by a number of people
to run for Senate and is actively considering it," party spokesman
Mark Michaud said. ìHis record of accomplishment in the Legislature
would make him an excellent candidate and an excellent senator.î Sen. Jim Greenwood,
R-Essex-Orleans, is not seeking reelection, opening up one of the two
seats in the district. Kitchel who retired
from the Human Services Agency in 2002, said Tuesday that many people
had approached her about running for state office and she made her decision
within the past few days. "I felt that
I had a tremendous amount of experience and background on key issues,"
she said. "That will serve me well as we're dealing in those
policy areas in the future." She said those issues
include health care and promoting strong communities through education
and civic involvement. "We want to make
sure our state policies are designed to achieve that," said Kitchel,
58. After her retirement,
Kitchel worked with lawmakers to draft a plan restructuring the Human
Services Agency which oversees several departments and operates the Kitchel, who started
her career as a social worker in St. Johnsbury, became Human Services
secretary in 1999. ìI have a strong personal
commitment to making government work well,î she said. "I feel
that I have an ability to ask the right questions so we can have informed
debate.î Kitchel also has deep
roots in and around Her connection to
the area gives Kitchel credibility in the traditionally Republican Northeast
Kingdom, Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Welch said. óSource: The Burlington Free Press. Wednesday, June 9, 2004. Page 5B. |