Paul Dame
Paul Dame
Vermont Republican Governor nominee?
$39.2K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Representative
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyLibertarian
LocationVermont
BackgroundPolitician
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EducationUniversity of Vermont (BS)
Notable personal detailsPaul Dame is an American politician and financial services professional in Vermont. He served as a Republican member of the Vermont House of Representatives for the Chittenden 8-2 District (2015–2017) and later became chair of the Vermont Republican Party in November 2021. He has been associated with a retirement planning firm called Shepherd Financial.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports reducing taxes and tax relief targeted at families, seniors, veterans, and nurses; opposes new energy-related fees described as a "mystery tax" and emphasizes property-tax relief and affordability. Positions favor tax cuts and limiting new taxes rather than expanding taxation or redistribution.
Healthcare
Opposes Vermont-style single-payer or expanded government-run health care and is critical of state health‑care bureaucracy; favors limiting government expansion in health policy.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports legal immigration and defended immigrants’ contributions to Vermont, emphasizing respect for those who come to the country “abiding by the rules.” He criticized rhetoric that reduces immigrants to menial labor and called for an adult conversation about immigration policy.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Paul Dame has not articulated a firm, singular position on abortion; he has said the Vermont GOP platform does not address the issue strongly and described varied views within the party, indicating it is not used as a litmus test for recruitment or messaging.
Climate & Energy
Paul Dame has criticized Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act and pushed for officials to defend the state against related lawsuits, casting the law and its proponents as inviting costly litigation. He identifies as libertarian and has emphasized economic concerns over aggressive climate mandates. His public statements indicate opposition to expansive statutory climate mandates while focusing on taxpayer protection and limited government intervention.
Public Safety & Guns
Opposes new waiting-period gun restrictions and frames such laws as infringements on Second Amendment rights; advocates readiness for self-defense and favors protecting gun ownership while criticizing Democratic-led gun legislation. No explicit public record located showing support for broad new gun-control measures such as assault-weapons bans or universal background-check expansions.
News
Paul Dame is in the news because Vermont has enacted a new law letting people sue federal officials in state court over alleged constitutional rights violations. The measure was backed by Democratic lawmakers and was prompted by concerns about federal immigration enforcement actions. Governor Phil Scott let it become law without his signature, saying he supported its intent but questioned whether it would survive constitutional review.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising