Republican Candidate to represent Fairfax in the Vermont House

[petefitz]

As called for by state law in the event of a tie vote in the primary, the Fairfax Republican Committee met this evening and selected Chris Santee as the Republican candidate for House in the fall. 

The Committee thanks Barbara Murphy for coming to introduce herself.  We had a very informative discussion with Barbara about the issues affecting our Town and State.

In the end, the Committee felt that the final say should go to the people of the town, and now there are three able candidates in the running for the office.  We look forward to a strong debate on these issues in the fall campaign.   

[mirjo]

Can you explain this a little more clearly please:

As called for by state law in the event of a tie vote in the primary, the Fairfax Republican Committee met this evening and selected Chris Santee as the Republican candidate for House in the fall. 

and

In the end, the Committee felt that the final say should go to the people of the town, and now there are three able candidates in the running for the office.  We look forward to a strong debate on these issues in the fall campaign.

Who was the tie between and why was the FRC deciding the candidate, if "the committee felt the final say should go to the people of the town." ?

These comments as as written are contradictory and come across like the FRC picked the candidate it wanted. While I'm sure you didn't intend to insult anyone, your assessment of "now there are three able candidates in the running for the office," implies that had the FRC not broken the tie by choosing Mr. Santee (Over ??), there would not be three able candidates. Word choice is key.

Committees at any level should not be allowed to break ties. Period. This just opens the door for favoritism, which is how politics as a whole is so horrible. If there was a tie, then it means  the VOTERS were split in their decision & like both candidates.

It's no secret  Mr. Santee is a favorite son of the FRC and would therefore be the first choice of the committee. Campaigns are for getting elected. I've heard enough campaign debates to know that what candidates say and what they're actually able to do once elected, is vastly different.

[petefitz]

2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 17 Elections
Chapter 49 NOMINATIONS
§ 2369 Determining winner; tie votes

The tie was between Chris Santee and Barbara Murphy in the primary last Tuesday. 

I did choose my words carefully, and I'll let them stand.

[johnmitchell]

Peter did a fine job as chair of the committee and the process worked in the way it was intended.  The voters in the town should exercise their right to vote and choose the representative who best represents their views.  Thanks Peter and Karen thanks for the pies.  John M

[Peggy]

Could you just clarify by naming the three candidates that will be vying for the office of representative to the house from the town of Fairfax?  Thank you.

Thank you to you and your committee for making the decision as required by law in a straight forward manner. 

[rod anode]

where have all the good times gone? when you could make fun of the democrats cause they were not in power.

[Thor]

Seems pretty cut and dry. If the Fairfax Republican Committee has the responsibility to make the determination in a tie, that they would choose the Republican candidate.

[johnmitchell]

The 3 candidates for State Representative are Barbara Murphy, Chris Santee and Bob Shea.

[mirjo]

@petefitz I stand by my statement that your comments appeared contradictory:

Sentence 1: 

As called for by state law in the event of a tie vote in the primary, the Fairfax Republican Committee met this evening and selected Chris Santee as the Republican candidate for House in the fall.

You state the FRC chose a candidate as allowed by law, then:

Sentence 2: 

In the end, the Committee felt that the final say should go to the people of the town, and now there are three able candidates in the running for the office.

you state the people should have the final say.

The way it reads is that the FRC picked a candidate, but the voters had the final say. There is information you may have been thinking, but it didn't seem to get into the post as I'm sure it all is very clear to you. And without acknowledging  the candidates, the statement: "Now there are three able candidates in the running for office" does come off sounding like an insult, implying those who didn't make the cut weren't able. This likely wasn't your intention and because you know what you meant, you can't see how it could be misconstrued.

@johnmitchell:

Peter did a fine job as chair of the committee and the process worked in the way it was intended.  The voters in the town should exercise their right to vote and choose the representative who best represents their views.

This was not about Peter's ability to chair a committee (which I've no doubt was more than fine), political parties, or even voting. It was a matter of clarity and my personal view on committees making such choices. It doesn't matter what flavor, it just seems wrong to me--even if it is allowed by law.

@Thor: Well duh. Any party is going to choose its own candidate. Clearly what took place makes sense; however, the there wasn't any information given as to who the other candidate was.  There is still the question of a situation with two or more candidates from the same party that results in a tie (it's happened) how can a committee decide fairly then?

Maybe the take away here is more information, not less. Perhaps we've all become to accustomed to short text messages, etc, but some circumstances require max info--this is one of them.

[petefitz]

 Barbara had already won the Democrat nomination by write-ins in the primary.  So we voted for Chris, and leave the final choice to the people on election day. 

[mirjo]

Thanks. I concur with your assessment, the chosesn candidates should make the forthcoming election "season" interesting for everyone.