Tayt Brooks, who for the last few years has been lobbying for the Home Builders’ & Remodelers’ Association of Northern Vermont, will become the Vermont Republican Party's executive director, the party announced today.
Brooks replaces Alden Guptill, who's going to work for John McCain's presidential campaign as deputy regional campaign manager for New England. The regional campaign manager is, of course, the Vermont Republican Party's former chairman, Jim Barnett.
Brooks will be working to help get Republicans elected to the Legislature. He knows firsthand how hard that can be. He ran unsucessfully in 1998 and 2000 against Rep. Ron Allard, a Democrat. Allard, as it turns out, has been a bit of a friend to Republicans by helping to sustain gubernatorial vetoes, much to the anguish of his own party.
Brooks makes the job transition June 10. He said of his new job:
“I am excited to have this opportunity to contribute to a great team. There is a
lot at stake in this election. I’m looking forward to helping fiscally
responsible candidates win in November and to restore some commonsense balance
to the State House.”
He likely got the blessing of his boss at the home builders' association, Joe Sinagra, who's active in the Republican Party.
- Terri Hallenbeck