Rebecca Holcombe in 2020 UT Governor's race
On Education:
Resigned as secretary of education over voucher proposal
Holcombe suggested that one reason she left as secretary of education was Governor Scott's determination to "eliminate local control of our schools" and replace it with "a statewide voucher plan that would pull millions out of our public schools--and
give that money to private schools that mostly benefit privileged Vermonters." She added, "That's not who I am. I don't think that's fair. And, you know, I had to leave."Holcombe appeared to be referring to a draft policy memo completed nine months
after her departure by her successor, Education Secretary Dan French. It envisioned breaking down the state's school districts into one and affording public and private school choice to all students. As soon as that document became public in January,
Scott distanced himself from it. "I don't think we're ready for anything like that at this point," he told Vermont Public Radio at the time. According to a Scott spokesperson, the governor has never advocated a statewide voucher system.
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Address climate change
Holcombe said, "I'm gonna win by showing everyday working Vermonters that it's not enough to talk." She added, "I think Vermonters want a governor who's gonna roll up their sleeves and engage."Holcombe declined to outline specific policy priorities,
saying only that she would focus on making health care more affordable, strengthening public schools and addressing climate change. Asked for details, she said, "We got a long opportunity here and I'm just starting."
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
On Families & Children:
Big supporter of paid family leave
The candidate called herself "a big supporter of paid family leave," highlighting it as an issue that differentiated her from Scott.
She expressed confidence that the Democratic legislature, which failed to pass such legislation this year, would "get the job done [next] January."
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
On Health Care:
Make health care more affordable
Holcombe said, "I'm gonna win by showing everyday working Vermonters that it's not enough to talk." She added, "I think Vermonters want a governor who's gonna roll up their sleeves and engage."Holcombe declined to outline specific policy priorities,
saying only that she would focus on making health care more affordable, strengthening public schools and addressing climate change. Asked for details, she said, "We got a long opportunity here and I'm just starting."
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
On Jobs:
Better ways to increase wages that setting minimum wage
She appeared less interested in raising the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, another priority of legislative Democrats. Asked several times whether she supported doing so, Holcombe finally answered, "Yes, yes, and
there are also other ways to increase wages in addition to that that we ought to be looking at." She said those included investing in job training.
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
On Principles & Values:
Served in Scott's administration; now running against him
For the first 15 months of Republican Gov. Phil Scott's administration, Rebecca Holcombe served as his secretary of education. Now she's hoping to oust him from Vermont's top job. "I'm running for governor because I think it's time to take the state in
a new direction, and I have tremendous experience as an educator, as a teacher, a principal, a secretary," she said. "And I want to put it to work for every Vermonter in every corner of the state--not just the areas that are already doing well."
Holcombe, who has not previously run for public office, was appointed secretary of education by Democratic governor Peter Shumlin in September 2013 and took office in January 2014. When Scott chose to retain her in February 2017, the new
GOP governor hailed her "fierce commitment to improving Vermont's education system," and she said it was "a privilege and an honor" to serve in his administration.
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
Page last updated: Dec 01, 2021