Why It Matters
Vermont Governor Phil Scott filled a vacant Burlington House seat representing the New North End, but his selection process has sparked a dispute with state Democrats over local party input in legislative appointments. The appointment affects representation for one of Burlington’s districts during the final weeks of the current legislative term.
What Happened
Scott appointed Kevin Scully, a Democrat and former Burlington police chief, on Thursday to serve the remainder of a two-year term. The seat became vacant in March when Representative Bob Hooper resigned after the Legislature’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Panel found he violated harassment rules.
State Democratic Party officials said Friday that Scully was not among three candidates recommended by the local party committee. Democrats allege Scott did not interview any of the committee’s suggested appointees before making his selection.
Dustin Degree, Scott’s communications director, said the governor chose Scully in part because the three committee-recommended candidates all expressed interest in running for reelection. According to Degree, Scully has indicated he will serve only the remainder of the term, allowing other candidates an even contest in the summer Democratic primary.
By the Numbers
Scully led the Burlington Police Department from 1986 to 1998. After retirement, he managed a funeral home and directed abuse prevention programs for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington from 2005 to 2017.
Hooper’s seat remained vacant for one month during the legislative session following his March resignation. In another case cited by Democrats, Representative Mari Cordes announced her resignation in mid-June 2025, but a replacement was not appointed until mid-October.
Background on the Vacancy
Hooper resigned after the harassment panel’s finding. Following his departure, multiple women, including two Vermont legislators, detailed harassment allegations against him in reporting by Vermont Public. Hooper acknowledged his actions were inappropriate but said he did not believe they constituted sexual harassment. He denied most allegations in the public reporting and characterized one as innocent.
Appointment Process and Party Dispute
Under Vermont law, the governor has authority to fill legislative vacancies. Tradition holds that the local party of the departing lawmaker submits recommendations and the governor selects from the same party, though neither practice is legally mandated.
Liam O’Sullivan, House campaign director for the Vermont Democratic Party, said in a statement that the local district committee fulfilled its duties by providing three qualified candidates in a timely manner. He said the governor chose to ignore them.
Democrats also accused Scott of delaying appointments for vacant Democratic seats while moving more quickly to fill Republican vacancies. Many of the delayed appointments involved seats that became vacant outside annual legislative sessions.
The governor’s office called the Democratic Party’s claims a manufactured political narrative but did not directly address the allegation of appointment delays.
What’s Next
Scully will serve alongside Democratic Representative Carol Ode in representing the New North End district through the end of the term. In a statement released Thursday, Scully said important issues will come before the House in coming weeks and he looks forward to representing the district during the short appointment.