30 Facts About Peter Shumlin

Peter Elliott Shumlin was born on March 24,1956 and is an American politician from Vermont.

Peter Shumlin was first elected to the office in 2010, and was reelected to a second term in 2012.

In June 2015, Peter Shumlin announced that he would not seek re-election in 2016.

Peter Shumlin signed laws on physician-assisted suicide as well as the United States' first genetically modified food labeling requirement during his tenure as governor.

Peter Shumlin was chair of the Democratic Governors Association during his first two terms.

Peter Shumlin was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1991 to 1993, and represented the Windham District in the Vermont Senate from 1993 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2011.

Peter Shumlin was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont in 2002.

Peter Shumlin served on Selectboard for the town of Putney in the 1980s and helped found Landmark College, which was created to help people with learning disabilities gain a college education.

Peter Shumlin served part of one term plus one full term, and represented Putney from 1990 through 1993.

In 2002, Peter Shumlin won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, and lost the general election to Republican Brian Dubie of Essex in a three-way race that included Progressive Anthony Pollina of Middlesex.

From 2003 to 2006, Peter Shumlin returned to the Peter Shumlin family business, Putney Student Travel, an educational firm that allows students in middle and high school to travel to foreign countries, learn about different cultures, and prepare for college.

In 2006, Peter Shumlin ran successfully for his old seat in the State Senate upon the retirement of Rod Gander, who served from 2003 to 2007.

On November 16,2009, Peter Shumlin announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Vermont.

Peter Shumlin placed first in the five-way August 24,2010 Democratic primary with 18,276 votes.

Peter Shumlin was not opposed by a Progressive candidate for governor.

Peter Shumlin has been an opponent of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant.

Peter Shumlin initially ran for Governor as an advocate of single-payer health care.

In December 2014, Peter Shumlin announced that he would abandon plans for single-payer health care in Vermont, citing "potential economic disruption".

Peter Shumlin framed the challenge of opiate abuse as greater in scope than the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.

Peter Shumlin offered a four-point plan to address opiate growth:.

Peter Shumlin observed that, "It's when the blue lights are flashing and cold reality sets in that we have our best shot [at persuading opiate users to seek treatment]".

On June 8,2015, Peter Shumlin announced he would not seek a fourth term in 2016.

In contrast to other governors, who stated that they would attempt to turn away refugees fleeing the violence of the Syrian Civil War, Peter Shumlin stated that Vermont would continue to welcome refugees.

Peter Shumlin is adamantly pro-choice, and drew a contrast between himself and his 2010 Republican gubernatorial opponent Brian Dubie, who would not answer the question of whether or not he would cut funding for low-income abortions when pressed by Peter Shumlin during the two candidates' televised debates.

Peter Shumlin held a pro-choice rally two days prior to the election, prompting his opponent to host a pro-jobs rally on the same day to draw a contrast between the two candidates' priorities.

On May 8,2015, Peter Shumlin signed a genetically modified food labeling bill.

Peter Shumlin was married to Deborah Holway from 1989 to 2013; they have two daughters together.

In September 2015, Peter Shumlin announced his engagement to girlfriend Kate Hunt.

In May 2013, Peter Shumlin was involved in a real estate transaction which generated controversy.

Peter Shumlin bought the property, had the assessed value reduced because the house was in disrepair, paid the back taxes, paid the neighbor's back child support, and allowed the neighbor to continue living in the house for several months.