Rodgers picks up GOP primary for lt. governor

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – John Rodgers Tuesday night won the Republican primary for Vermont Lt. governor.

With about 30% of votes counted, The AP called the race for Rodgers, who led his GOP challenger, Gregory Thayer, by a margin of about 60%,

Born and raised on a dairy farm in the Northeast Kingdom, Rodgers previously served in the House and Senate as a moderate Democrat but recently swapped his party affiliation, saying the Democratic Party has moved too far left, leaving him and other moderates behind. The former member of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources says bills at the Statehouse, especially dealing with the environment and energy, are being written by lobbyists and special interests. He says that taxes and fees passed by state lawmakers are increasingly falling on working-class and rural Vermonters.

Thayer is a conservative Republican and an ardent supporter of former President Trump. Rodgers was endorsed by Gov. Phil Scott and the contest was viewed by many as an important gauge of the strength MAGA movement in the Green Mountains.

Rodgers will go on to face Progressive-Democrat David Zuckerman in November.