issues relate to everything that happens at a local level in state government and in municipalities .
Sherman : How did your family feel about you running for Lieutenant Governor ?
Gray : I talked with my family before making the decision . I wanted to make sure as a family we were all comfortable with it . They were supportive , because they knew and shared my deep concern for the demographic crisis and population decline facing Newbury and Orange County and the State . They stood by me from the beginning - and through it all . I remember the spring , I was at home with my family , and we were all eating dinner together . My brother said , “ You know , Molly , you ’ re going to have to have a really thick skin if you ’ re going to be in this business .” I said ,
“ It ’ s going to be fine . Don ’ t worry about me . I ’ ve got it !” Several months later in the fall – when there were endless nasty personal and political attacks – he texted me and said , “ I hope you ’ re doing okay .”
Campaigns are hard for family , too . They see a loved one getting poked and prodded and exposed in ways that aren ’ t always fair or accurate , but that ’ s politics . I was raised with the strong belief that it ’ s important to maintain a sense of integrity , no matter what . I ’ m really proud of the positive , issue-focused campaign that I ran , and I ’ m proud to have a family that stood by me throughout the whole process .
Sherman : With all of the changes that we are currently facing , what do you think the future will bring for Vermont ?
Gray : In many ways , COVID-19 has put Vermont at a crossroads . We can either long for the past and try to return - or realize that from our greatest challenges come our greatest opportunities . Vermont has an opportunity to rethink everything anew . As Lieutenant Governor , I ’ ll be working every day to bring the voices of Vermonters into Montpelier - and as soon as it ’ s possible again , will be getting out around the state to better understand the needs of our rural Vermont .
When I think about the future , I not only think of the challenges of rural Vermont , but also of rural America and the opportunity we have to get it right . Whether it relates to accessing broadband for all Vermonters , affordable childcare , local and resilient food systems , or a diverse , innovative 21st century economy
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