Lawmakers: Bruce Lisman Plans to Run for Governor | Off Message

Monday, August 31, 2015

Lawmakers: Bruce Lisman Plans to Run for Governor

Posted By on Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 6:42 PM

click to enlarge Lawmakers: Bruce Lisman Plans to Run for Governor
File: Paul Heintz
Bruce Lisman
Update, 9/1/15: Bruce Lisman announced this morning he is running for governor.

Bruce Lisman, a retired Wall Street executive, plans to run for governor as a Republican, two state legislators said Monday.

Lisman, of Shelburne, called a number of Republicans on Monday to say he'll file as a candidate Tuesday.

"I got a call from him, just letting me know he's going to announce," said Rep. Corey Parent (R-St. Albans).

Senate Minority Leader Joe Benning (R-Caledonia) got a call too. "I told him I was glad to see him running as a Republican."

Benning and other Republicans had worried Lisman would run as an independent, potentially splitting votes with Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott in the general election, should Scott run.

Scott is expected to announce within the next couple months that he's running for governor.

Scott said Monday that Lisman also called him. "It's good for the party if he chooses to run as a Republican," Scott said. "I think primaries are healthy."

Lisman is the founder of the public policy advocacy group Campaign for Vermont.

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Terri Hallenbeck

Terri Hallenbeck was a Seven Days staff writer covering politics, the Legislature and state issues from 2014 to 2017.