John S. Rodgers

John S. Rodgers
Rodgers in 2018
Member of the Vermont Senate from the Essex-Orleans district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 6, 2021
Preceded byVincent Illuzzi
Succeeded byRuss Ingalls
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Caledonia 1 district
In office
January 8, 2003 – January 5, 2011
Preceded byDavid C. Hathaway
Succeeded byVicki Strong
Personal details
Born (1965-07-29) July 29, 1965 (age 59)
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Political partyRepublican (2024-present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (until 2024)

John S. Rodgers (born July 29, 1965) is an American politician who served in the Vermont Senate from the Essex-Orleans district from 2013 to 2021. He previously served in the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Caledonia 1 district from 2003 to 2011.[1]

As a representative of the rural and relatively conservative Northeast Kingdom, Rodgers held some idiosyncratic stances on issues that were at odds with the Democratic Party, which he was a member of until 2024.[2] Most notably, he is a vocal gun control opponent and was one of the most visible opponents of S.55, the first major gun control bill passed in Vermont.[3][4]

He ran as a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont in 2018.[5]

Rodgers proposed a controversial bill proposing the banning of cellphone use for people under the age of 21.[6]

In May 2024, Rodgers declared his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor challenging the incumbent David Zuckerman.[7] He later became the Republican nominee on August 13, and is endorsed by incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott.[8] Rodgers considers himself a moderate Republican, and has said he will not vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the 2024 election.[9]

Rodgers lives on a farm which has been in his family for over 200 years.[10]

  1. ^ "Senator John Rodgers". Legislature.vermont.gov. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  2. ^ Weinstein, Ethan (2024-05-24). "Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. ^ Keays, Alan J. (2018-04-10). "UPDATED: Rodgers, vocal gun rights advocate, weighs run for governor". VTDigger. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. ^ Freese, Alicia. "Montpeculiar: Rodgers Resurrects Gun Debate in Vermont Senate". Seven Days. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  5. ^ Freese, Alicia (2018-04-10). "Pro-Gun Vermont Senator John Rodgers Considers Run for Governor". Sevendaysvt.com. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  6. ^ Norman, Greg (2020-01-10). "Vermont Democrat lawmaker introduces bill to ban cellphones for people under 21". Fox News. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  7. ^ Cutler, Calvin (May 23, 2024). "Rodgers to run for Vermont lieutenant governor". WCAX-TV. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  8. ^ Higdon, Bridget (August 8, 2024). "John S. Rodgers looks for Republican nod for Lt. Governor, says he's an 'average Vermonter'". Milton Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Robinson, Shaun (July 26, 2024). "Vermont's Republican lieutenant governor primary puts party affiliation to the test". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "West Glover's John Rodgers on why there are so few working class people in the Vt. Legislature". 27 April 2023.