Among the three Democrats running for the lieutenant governor nomination, former Lt. Gov. Molly Gray has the legislative experience to serve the Senate well, and the legal background to defend Vermonters’ rights against an increasingly belligerent president. While the state’s Attorney General Charity Clark has done an excellent job taking the Trump administration to court at each illegal action, it’s vital to have a second voice to spotlight the anti-democratic actions Trump so often pursues and expose his authoritarian tendencies so the public understands the threats to democracy as well as the specific injustices to Vermonters.

Gray also is the strongest candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Lt. Gov. John Rogers in the general election this November. Gray was raised in South Newbury on her family’s third-generation dairy farm and understands the demanding trials and tribulations of farm life. To that end, she is well-positioned to bridge the urban-rural divide as seen with her early opposition to Act 181 and her quiet work to reverse that oversight.

As a human rights lawyer who has worked globally with the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations, and most recently served as the founder and executive director of the Vermont Afghan Alliance, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to defending those who have less. Vermonters can count on Gray to have their backs and to fight for their and the state’s best interest.

Gray is also a natural collaborator. Whether it’s working toward solutions to the state’s housing crisis, high costs of health care, rising property taxes or the constant challenges posed by climate change, Gray has the experience and personal humility to bring the smartest people together to discuss the issues, hear from citizens, and bring solutions to the table that have the interests of Vermonters first and foremost.

Democrat Ryan McLaren is also an excellent candidate who has laid out interesting policy ideas and has ample experience in serving Vermonters through his years working with Sen. Peter Welch, as well as working through local and state government.

Vermonters are fortunate to have two well-qualified candidates seeking the party’s nomination. Gray’s experience gives her an edge, as she knows the job and will hit the ground running — an important point for a state that is on the verge of serious problems if we don’t reach solutions soon.

—Angelo Lynn