Matt Dunne

Candidate for: Vermont Lieutenant Governor
Election Date: November 7, 2006

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The Candidate

Matt Dunne, 37, is running for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. The former Assistant Majority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives, Dunne is currently in his second term in the Vermont State Senate. In his time in the Legislature, Dunne has authored legislation to provide tax incentives, transportation dollars and regulatory changes to encourage investment in downtowns. He has also encouraged foreign companies to locate in Vermont and set aside funds to support local start up companies. Dunne is currently also the Associate Director of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy at Dartmouth College.

Dunne was first elected to the Vermont House when he was 22. He was elected to four terms by the residents of Hartland and West Windsor. In 1998, Matt became the youngest whip in the country when he was elected Assistant Majority leader. During his tenure in the legislature, Matt was an Account Executive at a marketing and advertising firm and then Marketing Director for Logic Associates, a top 500 software company. In 1999, Dunne left the legislature after being appointed by President Clinton to be the National Director for AmeriCorps*VISTA, a position he held for over two years as he oversaw 6000 volunteers in the fight against domestic poverty. As National Director, Dunne initiated Entrepreneur Corps, a program that utilizes VISTA volunteers to help residents of low-income neighborhoods save money, purchase homes and start businesses. A lifelong Vermonter, Dunne returned home after his tenure and won election to the State Senate, where he currently serves on the Appropriations, Economic Development and Administrative Rules Committees.

In addition to his legislative responsibilities, Dunne serves on the board of American Humanics, a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofits whose mission is to educate, prepare and certify professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations. Dunne also chairs Vermont delegation to the New England Board of Higher Education. Dunne himself attended Hartland Elementary, Hanover High and earned a bachelor's degree with honors in public policy from Brown University. Dunne, his wife Sarah Stewart Taylor, a journalist and writer, and their son Judson live on the farm where Dunne grew up.

The Issues

Along with his record of accomplishment while serving in the State Legislature, one of the main issues Dunne has brought to the forefront in this race is the potential for the Office of Lieutenant Governor in Vermont. Dunne argues persuasively that his opponent, incumbent Brian Dubie, has done little to maximize the role of the office in government. On the other hand, Dunne has great hopes and plans for using the office to bring people together to tackle Vermont's problems including affordable housing, poverty, economic competitiveness and energy independence. Thus far into the campaign, the other issues that have proved most significant pertain to economic development, healthcare, the environment and agriculture. Unsurprisingly, Dunne has already done much for Vermont in each realm.

Economic Development: Dunne launched a broadband grant program to bring high speed Internet to rural communities and helped create the Vermont Film Commission to attract filmmaking to Vermont. Dunne also authored legislation to encourage the cleanup and redevelopment of brown-fields. A proponent of entrepreneurship, Dunne developed a Seed Capital Fund to provide financing to Vermont entrepreneurs.

Healthcare: This past year, the legislature passed the Catamount Health program, a program designed to overhaul the state's heath care system by, among other changes, making affordable insurance available to low-income Vermonters and requiring them to purchase it. While Dunne lauds the program as a great first step toward universal health care in Vermont, he recognizes that much more work needs to be done. In fact, Dunne himself launched an initiative to create electronic healthcare records, strongly supported universal coverage, fought against increased premiums for Medicaid recipients and supported securing funding to make sure seniors did not lose prescription drug coverage with the implementation of the Medicare drug plan. As Lieutenant Governor, Dunne will use the platform of the office to continue his work toward expanding access to health care.

Agriculture and the Environment: : Having grown up on a small farm where his family raised livestock, Matt Dunne has been a champion of efforts to support young farmers, conserving prime agriculture land and promoting Vermont's agricultural products nationwide. Through a partnership with the Tuck School of Business, Dunne has led efforts to protect the environment by helping to develop strategies for strengthening Vermont's Forest and Parks System. Dunne has also streamlined the permitting process while protecting environmental standards, as well as initiated a state tire recycling pilot program.

Matt Dunne's Republican opponent, the socially conservative Brian Dubie, 47, was first elected Lieutenant Governor in 2002, though a Progressive and a Democrat split much of the non-Republican vote. In 2004, Dubie won more handily, but his opponent was financially limited after the primary and unable to run a comprehensive campaign. Among Dubie's official duties as Lieutenant Governor are chairing Governor Douglas's Homeland Security Council and presiding over the State Senate. But despite serving as Lieutenant Governor for two full terms, Dubie has done little to establish himself or the position as an integral part of the governing process. As a result, Dubie finds himself particularly vulnerable in this year's election, especially against an opponent as active and accomplished as Matt Dunne.

Dunne has been running an incredibly successful campaign thus far. While on the campaign trail, Dunne has brought with him a very unique campaigning method harkening the days of his AmeriCorps work. Dunne often travels throughout the state doing community service projects for various organizations, whether it's building a playground or helping to set a wildlife trail. These projects not only raise Dunne's name identification but help him solidify one of his major critiques of Brian Dubie, that the office could be so much more than it is. Between Dunne's dynamic campaigning and a series of effective biographical television ads that ran during the primaries, Dunne's message is strongly resonating with Vermonters.

Still, the fact remains that he is running against a well-funded incumbent. The Republican Party may mobilize extra support for Dubie, as he may be their best hope to replace Governor Douglas after he eventually retires. While Dunne's campaign has been particularly adept at competing with Dubie in fundraising-despite Dubie's incumbent status-the campaign still needs to raise more funds for the general election. Unlike previous years, the Progressive Party seems less energized for this race, though that could change. With additional financial support, Dunne will be better able to reach independent and undecided voters while minimizing any risk of losing potential voters to the Progressive nominee.

Why CNM Supports Matt Dunne

Having elected fiscal conservatives with a libertarian streak, including former Democratic Governor Howard Dean, Vermont voters are pragmatic, but hold to their strong values. Vermont deserves a Lieutenant Governor who shares and understands their concerns. Just as importantly, the voters of Vermont should have a Lieutenant Governor who actively seeks solutions to the toughest issues facing the state. Vermont is at an important crossroads, as it adjusts to changes in agriculture and the economy. Matt Dunne not only grasps those changes, but he has already led efforts to lead the state as it confronts those new challenges. As Vermont's next Lieutenant Governor, Dunne will capitalize on the resources of the office to shape a future for Vermont with universal health coverage, high quality jobs, technology-led economic development, progress for the agricultural sector and greater civic engagement through service politics.

Matt Dunne represents a new breed of progressive young Democratic leaders who are driven by their commitment to the common good and their belief that our biggest problems can be solved by bringing people together. He understands how to connect people to politics through grassroots engagement and is committed to innovation in public policy. Dunne's unwavering commitment to progressive American values motivates others to become more active citizens. Already an established leader, he is well-prepared to take the next step in his service to the people of Vermont.

Just 37 years old, Matt Dunne has an accomplished past and an even more promising future in elected office. CNM believes that Matt Dunne is an inspiring leader who will redefine the office of Lieutenant Governor in Vermont.

Support Matt Dunne for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont


CNM is proud to endorse Matt Dunne for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. We encourage you to give him your support.


Please contribute directly to Matt Dunne's Campaign by clicking here!


You can also send checks to:

Attn: Michael Fertik

Campaign for National Majority
251 W. 89th St. #7D
New York, NY 10024