When Dennis Morrisseau appeared before the Republican state convention seeking delegates support this spring, he declared to the gathering that he did not believe in a higher power. Some delegates stood and turned their backs to him. When he got off the stage and stuck out his hand to greet one delegate, the man told him, "I'm not shaking your hand. You're at the wrong convention, buddy."

Well, today that man will get his wish. Morrisseau is announcing that he's opting out of the Republican primary for the U.S. House. The former owner of Leunig's Restaurant in Burlington who's now a retired anti-war activist in West Pawlet, will run instead as an independent.

_ Terri Hallenbeck