James MacGovernBURLINGTON, Vt. -
John MacGovern, The Vermont Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, has announced he is against the F-35s coming to South Burlington.
MacGovern said Thursday he has reviewed the facts and believes it's not in the public's interest to base the new fighter jets here. It's a position that puts MacGovern at odds with his opponent Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders and all of Vermont's top elected leaders are on the record in favor of the F-35.
"I don't know what the political effect is going to be -- for me or against me. I have to therefore make a decision in what I think is in the best interest of this community and of this country," MacGovern said.
The Republican insisted he's not just doing this to take the opposite stance of Sanders. He said in the worst case scenario without the jets, the base could close in ten years and he would then try to convert the space to private businesses.
MacGovern said he had been leaning against the F-35s but finally made up his mind after hearing the public debate at Saint Michael's College Wednesday night.
