This seems pretty unusual: Vermont's Lt Governor, Republican Brian Dubie has been deployed to Iraq. He's a pilot and a Guard member, so I suppose it's not unexpected that he might be deployed, but I don't think I've ever heard of such a high state official being deployed to a war zone while serving in office. And it presents some issues
With Dubie in Iraq, the speaker of the House would serve as acting governor, if needed.
"Lieutenant Governor Dubie remains lieutenant governor, but if a situation did require an acting lieutenant governor, Speaker (Gaye) Symington would be that person," said Gov. Jim Douglas' spokesman, Jason Gibbs.
It turns out, though, this isn't the first time he's been deployed while in office.
Over the past several years, Dubie has been deployed throughout the country with the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Dubie assisted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in a disaster-response capacity by reporting to a Federal Emergency Management Agency command post in Maynard, Mass.
He arranged military flights into New York City for eight search and rescue teams, secured Motorola radios for rescue personnel, and helped arrange a police escort to deliver batteries to the rescue effort in downtown Manhattan.
Dubie also was deployed to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina last year and to the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics Emergency Operations Center in 2002
With regards to the primaries held yesterday, no real surprises. Rich Tarrant won the Republican primary and is now the official Senate candidate.
Bernie Sanders won the Democratic primary, easily, but will not accept the nomination because, you know, he's an Independent. He'll face Tarrant in November.
Former Vermont National Guard Adjutant General Martha Rainville, the country's first female Adjutant General, won her primary and will now be the Republican Candidate for Bernie's old House seat. She'll face Democrat Peter Welch in November.
Oh, and Democrat Matt Dunne will be opposing "man of action" Brian Dubie in the Lt Governor race.
But probably won't be in Iraq anytime soon...