Riker, managing director of his family’s investment firm, filed a July 15 finance disclosure statement with the Secretary of State’s Office noting that he contributed half that figure — $59,918.74. Another 20 people — seven bearing the last name Riker — gave all but $2,960 of the remainder, according to the filing.
“I know the money is a story,” Riker said Wednesday before attending a meeting of Hartford Democrats, “but it’s being used to build a grassroots campaign.”
According to his provided biography, the California native graduated from Twin Valley High School in Wilmington in 2005, having interned the year before for Gen. Wesley Clark’s 2004 Democratic presidential primary campaign and U.S. Sen. John Kerry’s general election run.
Enrolling at Maryland’s Washington College, Riker left at the end of his sophomore year in 2007 to work on President Barack Obama’s primary campaign (“I spent a year and half working in eight states as one of the youngest and earliest staffers”) and to oversee Democratic efforts in western Montana during the 2008 general election.
Returning to college in January 2009, Riker finished his education, then traveled in 2012 to work on Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s re-election campaign, in 2013 to earn a master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and in 2014 to work on Alaska Sen. Mark Begich’s unsuccessful re-election bid.
Riker now helps lead Teucrium Trading, which deals in agriculture-related commodity funds (including corn, soybean, sugar and wheat) on the New York Stock Exchange.
“With us, you can buy a single share,” he says of the business nestled in the small Windham County town of Marlboro, population 1,078.
The family firm recently opened a second location in Burlington because of technical challenges at its rural base, he said.
“We don’t have broadband Internet — it’s unreliable and slow — so it’s hard for us to run our company,” Riker said.
And that, he said, is what sparked his run.
“As lieutenant governor, you’re in a great spot. You’re a statewide-elected executive but, at the same time, you’re close to the legislative branch and can work to get real things done. We desperately need to start investing in our future.”
Riker doesn’t view his youth or lack of prior elected office as a disadvantage.
“I helped build a company in Vermont. I know what the problems are, and I have a vision where the state needs to go. If you understand and can guide people where to get to, your age is irrelevant,” he said.
Riker has raised $99,668 in contributions of $100 or more (in addition to his own donation, eight others were for the maximum $4,000 each).
“My family and myself are going to give what we can. We believe in this.”
The remaining $2,960 came in some 60 gifts of $100 or less, records show.
Riker has spent $15,272, paying $6,500 to Stonetop Media LLC of Washington, D.C., for website development (brandonriker.com) and $6,307.70 to Max Glass of Richmond, Virginia, for consulting.
Riker also reports travel of 1,495 miles, although “I’m not requesting any reimbursement.”
Riker was the only lieutenant governor candidate other than incumbent Phil Scott — a potential 2016 gubernatorial front-runner — to file a finance report required of those who collect or spend at least $500.
Riker can’t yet say how much he’ll raise between now and the election.
“Right now, I’m laying the groundwork. I’m committed to a grassroots campaign, and it takes time and money, ” he said.
Kevin O’Connor, a former staffer of the Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, is a Brattleboro-based writer. Email: kevinoconnorvt@gmail.com