Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday appointed North Hero resident and former Democratic candidate for the Vermont House Andy Julow to the state Senate seat previously held by former Sen. Dick Mazza.
Julow is the executive director of the Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corp. He’ll serve the Grand Isle Senate district, which includes the five towns on the Champlain Islands as well as parts of Colchester on the mainland.
Mazza resigned from the Senate in early April due to health challenges, and his seat has been vacant since. He represented the Grand Isle Senate district for close to four decades, making him the second-longest serving senator in Vermont history.
In an interview Tuesday, Julow called Scott’s appointment “an honor.”
“I was 7 years old when Dick Mazza became a senator. So he’s the only one I’ve ever really known,” Julow said. “It’s very humbling to step into the role, for sure.”
Tuesday’s appointment is temporary. Julow would have to run, and win, in this fall’s election if he wants a seat in the Senate during the next legislative biennium. He said he hasn’t made a decision on running yet, but has been “giving it some thought.”
The deadline for major party candidates to file for this year’s election is May 30.
Meanwhile, two people have already thrown their hats into the ring for the Grand Isle seat. One is veteran Rep. Patrick Brennan, R-Colchester. The other is Julie Hulburd, a member of the state Cannabis Control Board who has filed to run as a Democrat.
This story will be updated.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Gov. Phil Scott appoints Andy Julow to former Sen. Dick Mazza’s seat.