Jim Harrison, who ran the small business association for 29 years, was named Monday to replace Job Tate, a Mendon Republican who stepped down last week to deploy overseas with the military. Harrison was sworn in Tuesday.
Harrison won out over Killington Police Chief Whit Montgomery and golf pro David Soucy to represent Rutland-Windsor-1. The district includes Chittenden, Killington and Mendon in Rutland County and Bridgewater in Windsor County.
Tate, 34, was in his second term when he announced he would be heading overseas soon. A veteran of the U.S. Navy Seabees, Tate serves with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 27.
Harrison, 63, who lives in North Chittenden, stepped down from the association at the end of last year. He was a high-profile lobbyist who fought efforts to expand the sales tax to additional products and to raise the minimum age for cigarette purchases from 18 to 21 years old.
He described himself as a moderate Republican and said he did not vote for Donald Trump for president. Harrison listed his biggest priority as economic development. He said he was a strong supporter of Scott’s call for budget restraint and his desire to see the state population grow.
Harrison said his appointment did not represent an example of the “revolving door” between lawmakers and lobbyists. He said he would use those relationships he established with lawmakers to help his constituents, adding that he is free and clear of his lobbying clients.
A proposal to establish a state ethics commission includes a one-year prohibition for lawmakers to become lobbyists, but there is nothing to prevent the reverse from happening.
“I think I bring a firsthand knowledge to how the system works,” he said.
Harrison had high praise for Scott, despite having minority support in both chambers of the Democratic-led Legislature.
“Whoever is governor, as legislators we shouldn’t be totally handcuffing them. We want to encourage people trying to look for efficiencies,” Harrison said.
Scott said he was confident Harrison would be a dedicated public servant.
“Jim brings tremendous knowledge and experience working with the Legislature to this position, which will serve his district well as he hits the ground running this week,” said Scott.
