Republican Scott Milne has made it official. He's looking to unseat the U.S. Senate's longest-serving member, Vermont Democrat Patrick Leahy.
The travel company owner was a political newcomer in 2014 when he ran a surprisingly strong but unsuccessful race against incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin.
The 57-year-old Milne issued a statement Thursday saying he would file papers at the secretary of state's office before day's end declaring his candidacy for U.S. Senate. The statement did not lay out any issue disagreements with Leahy, but noted that Leahy has held the seat for 42 years and "has never had a real job."
Leahy’s campaign manager Carolyn Dwyer quoted Republican Lt. Governor Phil Scott, who said on Vermont Public Radio that it's better to state and defend your own positions than to run down your opponent. Scott is running for governor.
Milne plans to make a formal campaign announcement in July.
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