Who Mentored the Candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor?

This election season, we asked all of the Vermont candidates for governor and lieutenant governor a couple of questions related to mentoring. We wanted to know why they think youth mentoring is important, and who some of the mentors are in their lives. We’ve included all of the responses we received below. We hope you’ll enjoy learning more about each of the candidates’ stances on mentoring!

Candidates for Governor of Vermont:   

Phil Scott

Phil Scott
Republican Nominee for Governor

Why do you believe youth mentoring is important to Vermont’s future?

Mentoring is important to Vermont’s future because it makes both an immediate and long-term impact on a young person’s life. In government and politics, we spend a lot of time trying to improve the educational opportunities for young Vermonters, and regardless of party there is a consensus that investing in our children’s future is among the best uses of public resources. However, the factors that shape a child’s future extend beyond the classroom, and far too many Vermont children are considered “at-risk,” and lack reliable adult role models at home. That’s where mentoring comes in, because it gives a young person both the person to look up to and the person to rely on that every child deserves. Mentors help shape children’s perceptions of the world, reinforce positive traits and activities, and pass on the intangible life skills that can ultimately propel children to success when they become adults. People who dedicate their time and energy in mentoring programs deserve every Vermonter’s thanks and respect for their investment in our children’s future.

Looking back, who are some of the mentors you’ve had and what impact did those individuals have on your life?

I’ve had many mentors in my life, both as a child and as an adult. Two that come to mind are Richard Flies, my high school shop teacher, and Senator Dick Mazza, with whom I served in the Vermont legislature.

Richard Flies had a tremendous impact on my life growing up. He sparked my interest in the trades, pushed me to succeed in school, and ultimately, when I enrolled in college, I studied to become a vocational educator to follow in his footsteps (perhaps subliminally). I even got my teaching certificate, but since life always has a way of surprising us, my path led me into business instead. I don’t think it’s an accident that I work in construction today; Mr. Flies taught me that I get the most enjoyment out of building things and working with my hands, and his lessons still resonate with me to this day.

My second mentor came into my life much later, 16 years ago, in fact, when I entered politics, and this mentor came from the most unusual of places: the other party. Senator Dick Mazza, a Democrat from Grand Isle County, took me under his wing and taught me how important it is to hear both sides of an issue and how to be an advocate for my constituents. He was the first person to encourage me to seek the Lt. Governor’s office and he has surpassed the level of colleague and mentor – he truly feels like my family.

Sue Minter

Sue Minter
Democratic Nominee for Governor

Why do you believe youth mentoring is important to Vermont’s future?

As a working mom, I spent countless hours volunteering in my kids’ schools in Waterbury helping children learn to read, write and be productive students. I saw first hand what a difference it made to have caring adults engaged in the lives of young people. That’s why I have made mentoring a key component of Vermont Promise, my plan for tuition-free community and technical college.

Vermont Promise will enable all young Vermonters to receive the education and training they need to participate and succeed in this 21st Century economy. Right now, two thirds of the jobs in Vermont require some form of higher education, and yet 40 percent of Vermont students do not go on to receive any kind of post-secondary education. Vermont Promise will ensure that students can access jobs that pay well, give families an affordable path to college, and make sure that businesses have the strong workforce they need in order to grow. Vermont Promise is a win-win-win for our state.

All participants in Vermont Promise will be matched with a volunteer mentor. I believe that this statewide mentoring program will be one of the most powerful parts of Vermont Promise. Young people need a champion, someone to challenge and encourage them to aim higher. The Vermont Promise mentors will help change the lives of young people all across the state.

Looking back, who are some of the mentors you’ve had and what impact did those individuals have on your life?

• Former Governor Madeleine Kunin has been a tireless torch bearer, encouraging me and other women to step up, speak up, and lead.
• Don Laws – My figure skating coach until age 16, taught me perseverance, commitment, and the importance of having fun, following a dream, and never giving up.
• Bobby Minter – My late big brother questioned authority, pushed limits, taught me about social justice, was vivacious & competitive, and was also a goofball.
• Evelyn Minter – My 86-year-old mom gave me my optimism, a zest for life and adventure, a passion for sports, and showed me that the world was not a level playing field, and instilled in me the commitment to make life better for others.

Candidates for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont:

David Zuckerman

David Zuckerman
Democratic/Progressive Nominee for Lieutenant Governor

Why do you believe youth mentoring is important to Vermont’s future?

Youth mentoring is critical and provides a benefit to the youth as well as mentors. Today’s youth have many distractions and challenges to overcome. Families are often divided, video games and “screen time” are always tempting, adolescence can be difficult to navigate, and schoolwork expectations continue to grow. Too many are falling behind or not developing basic life skills. Mentoring can provide an opportunity to practice interacting with different people, help understand how to manage money and time, and provide opportunity to learn how to accept constructive (and sometimes not as constructive) criticism.

Our youth are as strong as the communities they are raised in. The more people there to support, listen, encourage, and teach the more opportunities they will find. Parents are also busy and a family with all parents working is the norm. Mentors increase the amount of time and diversity of perspectives youth have access to. I also think there is a value to the mentor as it allows others the opportunity to also build friendships, have their skills validated, or celebrate success together. I see opportunity to engage more of our aging population in mentoring programs as a way to utilize the wealth of information they have and provide them with an important purpose after they retire.

Looking back, who are some of the mentors you’ve had and what impact did those individuals have on your life?

My father died a month after I turned 13. My older brother had his own challenges as a teenager so at that time he could not really be my mentor. There was a math teacher, David Moore, at the high school who was also a family friend and he mentored me while taking me on occasional fishing trips, or walks in nearby parks. Our neighbors were also mentor “substitute” parents. Cheryl Whitfield was a second mother for me. She and her husband Rufus, parents of my best friend Korey, gave me another perspective on enjoying life as well as working hard to get through difficult challenges. All three of those individuals helped show me the importance of empathy for others. The support and empathy that was shown to me has created the ability for me to empathize with others. I often rely on this skill with people who I do not know, but for whom I can have patience for their negative actions, knowing that something, sometime, somewhere, may well have put them into a state where they are not making the best decisions in that moment. Having patience to learn and accept where others are has been a very important life lesson and skill for me.