Hooper heats up Washington-5 primary

Six hours into her candidacy to represent her city in the state legislature; Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper says she is optimistic about her bid. "I feel terrific," Hooper told PolitickerVT.com.

She estimates that 50 supporters, friends and family members turned out to Pocket Park on Saturday afternoon to watch her official announcement.

Hooper, a Democrat, is setting her sights on one of the city's two state representative seats, which are currently held by fellow Democrats, state Reps. Warren Kitzmiller and Jon Anderson.

Anderson was appointed by Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) last session to fill the seat vacated by former state Rep. Francis Brooks after he stepped down to become the statehouse sergeant-at-arms.

Although Hooper calls Kitzmiller a "friend," she denies that she is looking to unseat one of the incumbents in particular. "Montpelier has two seats and both are up for re-election," said Hooper, before adding: "But the residents of Montpelier never chose Jon Anderson. Jim Douglas did, and this is an opportunity to make sure voters have that choice."

Kitzmiller has represented Montpelier in the statehouse since 2001, making Anderson, who stirred controversy by making a campaign contribution to Douglas, the more vulnerable target.

Anderson said that he welcomes Hooper to the race, and is confident that he can win on his record. "I've been working awfully hard, and I think I have a reputation as a good legislator," he said, citing accomplishments ranging from the ground water bill that he marshaled into law to his final four finish in PolitickerVT.com's Smartest Legislator tournament earlier this month.

Asked if he regrets making a contribution to Douglas' campaign, Anderson said: "I don't think you can look back, but I don't intend to vote for Governor Douglas this year." Anderson notes that despite supporting Gov. Douglas' stance at permit reform, which formed his decision to make the contribution, he has been an active fundraiser for "by and large more Democratic candidates," including former Gov. Madeline Kunin, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch and former gubernatorial contender Doug Racine.

In an opening swipe at Hooper, Anderson said he would be skeptical if Hooper chose to keep her job as mayor while serving in the House. "One of the challenges to remaining as mayor, is convincing people to have two people in three positions, which would in effect be throwing me or Warren away."

Although this will be both Hooper and Anderson's first time running for the Washington-5 seat, the two candidates know what it's like to run against each other. In 2004, Hooper defeated Anderson when she won election to her first term as mayor.

Anderson attributes his 2004 loss to Hooper to his late start in the race, as well as the constraints of his job as a lawyer. Following an identical timetable to the mayoral race, Anderson said his law firm Burak Anderson & Melloni was in the midst of arranging the $21.4 million sale of Citizens Utilities' Vermont electric division to Vermont Electric Cooperative Inc. "I think I've been able to free up my campaign schedule this year," he added.

This time around, Anderson says he is more confident, "I hold the office, I'm going to run on my record and how hard I've worked," he said. "I'm currently going door to door in Montpelier for the sixth time in 20 years."

"We'll put ourselves out there, and the people of Montpelier will decide."

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