Former Senator Jim Jeffords Dead At 80

WASHINGTON -
Vermont has lost one of it's most beloved and controversial political leaders. Former U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords died Monday at the age of 80. He left government service and public life eight years ago -- but he left an enduring impression on Vermont.
From the earliest days of his political career, Jim Jeffords was truly an Independent Man. "I won't forget I came from Vermont. And Vermont won't forget I'm in Washington," Jeffords said.

After a stint as Attorney General and a failed run for Governor, Jeffords was elected to Congress in 1974 -- a moderate, Yankee Republican -- in the tradition of Aiken and Stafford. Right away he showed he wasn't your typical Washington insider when he made his first home in D.C. a Winnebago.

Jeffords soon settled in at the Capitol and developed a passion for education and the environment. He championed legislation to improve the nation's schools, and worked with environmental groups on clean air and clean water bills. That agenda gained Jeffords the enmity of conservatives and time and again he faced primary opponents. But Jeffords survived those primary battles and won by huge margins in each general election, serving seven terms in the House of Representatives.

"I've never made a secret of my desire to eventually serve Vermont in the U.S. Senate," Jeffords said. When Senator Bob Stafford retired in 1988, Jeffords was a natural choice to replace him, but Republicans were not quick to offer support. Jeffords did make a claim on the seat and he earned the nomination by fending off another primary challenge. In the general election, it was a trademark landslide victory.

During his tenure in the Senate, Jeffords continued to champion legislation that frequently left him at odds with party leaders. He was often one of a handful of swing votes and more than once swung the victory to the Democrats. All the while he remained popular with the voters back home.

He helped bring Amtrak back to Vermont. He fought for environmental causes like the Superfund. And he helped win passage of the Northeast Dairy Compact, boosting prices for struggling farmers.

But despite membership in the Singing Senators with majority leader Trent Lott, Jeffords was increasingly in disagreement with his party leaders. His dissatisfaction came to a head following the 2000 election when Jeffords sided with Democrats against the Presidents tax cut plan. "And that is why I have chosen to take the course I'm taking now, to vote with this group," he said.

Soon the rumors were circulating in Washington -- and on the evening news. He didn't become a Democrat, but on May 24, 2001, Jim Jeffords did make history with his jump from the Republican Party to becoming an Independent. "Given the changing nature of the national party, it has become a struggle for our leaders to deal with me and for me to deal with them," Jeffords said. The jump cast Jeffords into the national spotlight because it shifted the balance of power in the Senate from the Republicans to the Democrats.

He was called a traitor by some -- a hero by others. The move landed him on magazine covers -- and on beer bottle labels. It led Jeffords to write not one, but two books about his political career and the reasons for "the jump." "I knew that if I didn't do what I had to do, I would forever feel responsible, because I had the power to do it. And I didn't exercise that power. It would be on my conscience knowing what I could have done," he said.

At the time, Jeffords vowed to run again as an independent, but four years later he changed his mind. "It is time now to begin a new chapter, both for me personally and for the people of the State of Vermont," he said.

Amid growing concerns about his physical and mental health, Jeffords announced in April of 2005 that he would not seek re-election in 2006. "I am feeling the aches and pains of reaching 70. My memory fails me on occasion, but Liz would tell you that that has been going on for at least 50 years," Jeffords said.

Jim Jeffords -- always humble -- always an independent man.
His former Communications Director, Diane Derby, says the Senator passed away at Knollwood, a military retirement facility in Washington, D.C., where he's lived for eight years. He is survived by two children and two grandchildren. His funeral will be held in Rutland, but the details are not set.