Rep. John Morley, R-Barton, will seek the number two job in the Republican House caucus in January, he has told colleagues this week.

Morley would like to replace Rep. Patricia McDonald, R-Berlin, who plans to step down as assistant House Republican leader this session because she wants to devote some of her spare time to her campaign for a state Senate seat.

"I am going to run," Morley said Wednesday at the Statehouse. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, which was meeting to take testimony on a $16.4 million budget adjustment plan presented by the Douglas administration. Morley said he would ask for a new committee assignment if he won the Republican caucus leadership position.

"I want to begin to try to make a difference," Morley said to explain his decision to seek the assistant leader slot. After the session, he said he sees the job as helping to recruit Republican legislative candidates. The recruitment and election of Republicans to the House, he said would be "a huge challenge, but something I'm ready to try to do."

As for his work during the session, Morley said he has a good record working with Democrats and Progressives, compromising when possible, and disagreeing without rancor. "I hope to continue that trend."

Morley, 39, is village manager in Orleans when he isn't in Montpelier. He is serving his third term in the House.

Are there other candidates for assistant House Republican leader?

-- Nancy Remsen

Labels: House Republicans, John Morley, vermont politics