| − | '''James H. "Jim" Douglas''' (born June 21, 1951) is the current [[Governor]] of the state of [[Vermont]] and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. He is known as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. Douglas began his political career in 1972 after getting elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, directly out of college. He went on to become [[House Majority Leader]]. In 1980, Douglas was elected Vermont Secretary of State, and went on the be reelected five times, receiving the nomination of both political parties on three occasions. In 1992, he challenged [[Democrat]] Senator [[Patrick Leahy]], but was defeated by a 54%-43% margin. Douglas was elected State Treasurer in 1994 and served until his election as Governor in 2002. He was easily re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2008, despite Vermont being a stronghold for Democrats. | + | '''James H. "Jim" Douglas''' (born June 21, 1951) is the current [[Governor]] of the state of [[Vermont]] and a member of the [[Republican Party]]. He is known as a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. Douglas began his political career in 1972 after getting elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, directly out of college. He went on to become [[House Majority Leader]]. In 1980, Douglas was elected Vermont Secretary of State, and went on the be reelected five times, receiving the nomination of both political parties on three occasions. In 1992, he challenged [[Democrat]] Senator [[Patrick Leahy]], but was defeated by a 54%-43% margin. Douglas was elected State Treasurer in 1994 and served until his election as Governor in 2002. He was easily re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2008, despite Vermont being a stronghold for Democrats. Douglas is currently chairman of the [[National Governors Association]]. |
| | Jim Douglas and the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator have frequently been at odds. Democrats had overridden Governor Douglas' veto of the state budget and overridden his veto of legislation that would allow [[same-sex marriage]]. <ref>http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4461&MediaType=1&Category=26</ref> | | Jim Douglas and the Democratic super-majority in the state legislator have frequently been at odds. Democrats had overridden Governor Douglas' veto of the state budget and overridden his veto of legislation that would allow [[same-sex marriage]]. <ref>http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4461&MediaType=1&Category=26</ref> |