Washington County prosecutor enters AG race; Pieciak to run for treasurer

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont’s election season is heating up with at least two high-profile candidates Friday announcing their plans to run for open statewide seats.

Surrounded by friends and family Friday, Vermont’s top insurance and banking regulator and COVID modeler-in-chief said he will run for treasurer as a Democrat.

He entered state government during the Shumlin administration and has led the Department of Financial Regulation through the Scott administration. “Strategic investment decisions and policy-oriented approaches are the bread and butter of the treasurer’s office,” Pieciak said.

He says he’ll focus on making sound investments in the state’s pension funds and advocating for investments in climate, housing, and workforce development, as well as making sure Vermonters are financially literate. “Having the skills to be able to build up to retirement and make wise financial decisions that will benefit those individuals but our state as well,” Pieciak said.

He wants to succeed Treasurer Beth Pearce, who is not seeking re-election due to health concerns. And Pearce Friday gave him her blessings. “You have to have someone with the professional experience and the competency to do this job,” she said.

WASHINGTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR ENTERS AG RACE

A day after Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced he will not seek reelection, Washington County State’s Attorney Rory Thibault jumped into the race for his seat.

The Democrat Friday gathered with supporters in Barre to announce his candidacy, emphasizing what he calls a “holistic approach” to public safety including restorative practices, drug treatment court, and being an ally to victims of crime.

“Justice reform is sometimes a complex road which requires what I call Vermont values. I want to run a campaign that is rooted in Vermont values. Those values, simply put, are equity, integrity, and empathy,” Thibault said.

Thibault was appointed by Gov. Phil Scott to take over the busy Washington County office after the sudden resignation of former prosecutor Scott Williams in 2018. He previously served as an assistant attorney general and deputy state’s attorney. He’s also a military veteran, having served as a Judge Advocate General for the U.S Army.

He says he hopes to continue focusing on criminal justice reform, environmental justice, and public safety “Dealing with geographic disparity and outcomes boils down to making sure resources are uniformly available throughout the state,” Thibault said.

Thibault and Pieciak’s announcements Friday are the latest in what is expected to be a busy primary and election season for statewide offices. In addition to the open AG seat, there are wide-open races for treasurer, secretary of state, Lt. governor, U.S. Senate, and Congress.

Governor Phil Scott is expected to announce his reelection intentions in the coming days.

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