- Scudder Parker
Infobox Politician
name = Scudder Parker
width =
caption = Scudder Parker, Former Vermont State Senator
birth_date = birth date and age|1943|8|16
birth_place =Northeast Kingdom
residence =Middlesex, Vermont
office = Vermont State Senator
term_start = January 1981
term_end = January 1988
party = Democrat
spouse = Susan Sussman
children = Katie and Emily
website = http://www.scudderparker.com/Scudder Parker is a Democratic politician from
Vermont .Parker grew up on a
dairy farm in a region of Vermont known as theNortheast Kingdom . Parker attended Union Theological Seminary, and became an ordained minister, like his father and grandfather. Early in his political career, Parker became the first Democrat to ever win a Vermont State Senate seat in the northeastern region of Vermont. He served in the State Senate from 1981 to 1988. In the Senate, Parker served as chair of the Finance Committee, a position that put Parker in a prominent position in writing the state's budget. Later, Parker served as chair of theVermont Democratic Party . He was Director of the Energy Efficiency Division of the Vermont Department of Public Service from January 1990 to February 2003.Race for governor, 2006
In
2005 , Parker announced his intention to run for the Democratic Party nomination to challenge GovernorJim Douglas in the November 2006 Vermont gubernatorial election. He was assured that nomination when no other Democrat filed by the July 16, 2006 deadline.Parker started his campaign in the fall of 2005, visiting counties in Vermont and staying there for several days at a time, getting to know the locals. In the summer of 2006, his campaign staff tripled in number, bringing on full-time field, finance, and communications directors, as well as several support staffers. His fundraising efforts resulted in $110,000 in donations in the month of July 2006.
The Parker campaign had several banner issues, including
energy ,education ,health care , andeconomic development . Parker was seen as a technocrat and released series of position papers on energy in support of a wide spectrum of renewable and sustainable energy sourcesParker's bid for the office governor ended on election night, November 6, 2006. The Republican Incumbent James Douglas defeated Parker. Douglas won 56% of the vote to Parker's 41%.
On the issues
Parker's positions on notable issues:
*
Agriculture - In favor of federal aid to help farmers recover from the 2006 crop loss. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/agriculture.html Agriculture] ]
*Education - Proposed to raise education taxes while cutting education spending, something unique among administrations nationwide. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/education.html Education] ]
*Energy - Incentives for new energy solutions. Reduce dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy. Create a plan to move Vermont to a more clean, stable and self-reliant energy future. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/energy.html Energy] ]
*Health care - In favor of health care reform. Removing health care employment restrictions. Lowering costs while offering it to more individuals. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/healthcare.html Health Care] ]
*Housing - Develop housing plans at the local area. Supporting town and regional planning commissions for clear, improved and affordable housing. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/housing.html Housing] ]
* War in Iraq - Against the war since the beginning. Make sure veteran's benefits are fully funded. Prompt and honorable return from Iraq. [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/iraqwar.html War in Iraq] ]
* Women's Health Care - Believes that "men and women have the basic human right to consult with their physicians in private about their own health-care decisions." [ [http://www.scudderparker.com/womenshealthcare.html Women's Health Care] ]References
External links
* [http://www.scudderparker.com/ Scudder Parker for Governor]
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