Randy Brock

Former state Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) officially announced his bid to represent Franklin County in the state Senate. 

Brock issued the statement this afternoon - a few hours after PolitickerVT.com received information that the former auditor would pursue the state Senatorial seat. He emphasized his past leadership skills and his determination to create jobs for Vermonters, fix energy policy, make housing affordable, reform property taxes and find ways to keep health care costs manageable.   

Former State Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) has decided to run for the Vermont state Senate to represent Franklin County, according to a Republican source.

Brock, who had initially planned to retake the auditor’s office from State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham) this fall, backed away from the challenge after Salmon, a U.S. Navy reservist, was deployed on active duty last week.

State Auditor Tom SalmonVermont Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper's remarks regarding the military deployment of State Auditor Tom Salmon to the Middle East have sparked wide controversy among politicians across the state.

An Associated Press article cited the state GOP leader as saying that "the voters in Vermont should have the option of having someone in the office who will be on the job on day one. Salmon won't even be here when the Legislature gets back."

State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham), a Navy reservist, reported for active duty training Sunday in Gulfport, Miss. Salmon told top state officials in a letter Friday that though he was deployed up, he would remain in office and continue his re-election campaign.

State Auditor Tom Salmon Deputy State Auditor George Thabault tells PolitickerVT.com that Salmon had foreseen a possible deployment since this November and had worked with staff to make preparations for his absence. At a June 10 meeting, Salmon told colleagues that he had received his instructions and flight itinerary.