Just spoke to Harry Chen about his possible run for lt. gov. He says he expects to make a decision in the next week or two.
First , he wants to talk further with Vermont Democratic Party officials to gauge the level of support he'd have, he said. But he also needs to decide if this is the right thing for him to do. "It's not an easy thing to do."
He had already decided not to run for re-election to his House seat from Mendon he said. "Part of me wants to take a break from politics. If I do this I would have to take an about-face."
Health care would be the key topic for the emergency room doctor who worked on the legislation that resulted in the Catamount Health Plan. He would want to work with the new administration in Washington - one that he thinks will be Democratic - on expanding health care coverage. "There's opportunity there," he said.
As for challenging three-term incumbent Brian Dubie, "I think really what I would hope is people look at our records, our accomplishments in and out of the Legislature, and make a decision on who they want," he said. "It's going to be an uphill battle."
Among his other options, Chen said, are to go back to school for public policy in health care.
- Terri Hallenbeck
