|
| Affiliation | Democratic |
|
| Name | Doug Racine |
| Address |
Richmond, Vermont , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | http://dougracine.com/ |
| Born |
October 07, 1952
(71 years)
|
| Contributor | Joshua L. |
| Last Modifed | Barack O-blame-a
Apr 26, 2012 04:04pm |
| Tags |
Caucasian - Divorced - Straight -
|
| Info | A native Vermonter, Doug was born in Burlington on October 7th, 1952. His father, Willie, was an auto mechanic and his mother, Annette, a bookkeeper. Together, they ran a Texaco service station, an independent auto repair shop and then, in 1967, founded Willie Racine's Jeep dealership.
As a teenager, Doug spent his summers working in the family business and on the decks of the Lake Champlain ferryboats. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1970. He went on to study at Princeton University where he majored in politics. Like many students from blue-collar families he spent his spare time working in the dining halls to make enough money to help pay for his education.
Doug graduated from Princeton in 1974 and immediately went to work on Patrick Leahy’s first U.S. Senate campaign. After the election he was hired by Sen. Leahy as a Legislative Assistant in the Washington office. He worked for Sen. Leahy until 1978 when he came home and joined the family business.
In 1980 Doug ran for the State Senate in Chittenden County. Undeterred by his defeat in the primary election, he came back to win a seat in 1982 at the age of 30. Doug was a leader on environmental issues, serving as Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He also served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he was known for his strong commitment to children and his support for quality health care.
In 1989 Doug was elected by his colleagues as President Pro Tempore of the State Senate; he was reelected to that position in 1991 in a divided Senate with 15 Democrats and 15 Republicans. He worked closely with House Speaker Ralph Wright and Republican Governor Richard Snelling to craft a compromise that brought Vermont through its last great economic recession. In his leadership role, Doug was acknowledged by his fellow Senators for his sense of fairness, the ability to forge consensus, and a bipartisan spirit.
In 1992 Doug did not seek reelection and returned full time to the family business. In 1994 he made his first bid for Lt. Governor against Barbara Snelling; he lost a close race. In 1996 Doug ran again, this time against State Sen. John Carroll, and won decidedly by 54%-41%. Lt. Governor Racine was reelected in 1998, defeating Barbara Snelling and again in 2000, defeating Brian Dubie.
As Lt. Governor he served as the Governor’s representative to the Steering Committee of the Education Commission of the States. Governor Dean also appointed Lt. Gov. Racine as chair of the gubernatorial Blue Ribbon Task Force on the organization of state government. Doug organized and led conferences on early childhood education and on the impacts of poverty on children and helping them succeed in school. Education and childhood poverty have always been issues that are very important to him.
When Gov. Dean decided to move on and run for president, Doug ran for Governor in 2002. In a tough three-way election Doug lost to Jim Douglas by 45%-43%. After the defeat he returned full time to the family business but never lost his interest in public policy. During this time, he served on his local high school board and served on various nonprofit boards.
In 2006, Doug reentered public life after a four-year hiatus and was elected to a Chittenden County Senate seat; he was reelected in 2008 with the highest vote ever. In the State Senate he has worked on a number of issues including health care, childhood poverty, environmental protection and job creation strategies. Doug chairs the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and serves on the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee.
During his public and private life Doug has served as a member of numerous boards including the Vermont Electric Cooperative, Vermont Natural Resources Council, Voices for Vermont’s Children, and as a founding board member of the Childcare Resource and Referral Center. Doug also served as a member of the Mt. Mansfield Union School Board from 2005-2008 and is currently Co-Chair of the Vermont Child Poverty Council.
Doug is a 30-year resident of Richmond. Together with Dr. Julie Moenter, a local veterinarian, he enjoys many outdoor activities including skiing, biking, camping and boating. He is 56.
|
 | BOOKS |
 |
|
| Title |
Purchase |
Contributor |
|
| Start Date |
End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
|
| INFORMATION LINKS |
|
|
|
