2016 election for governor Matt Dunne

dunne announced candidacy in september 2015. in february 2016 dunne left position @ google, indicating members of media did in order focus on campaign.

dunne received endorsements of 2 major vermont labor groups, vermont state employees association , vermont branch of afl-cio, , progressive vermont activist group rights , democracy. in july, received endorsement of 6 dozen current , former vermont legislators, including of senate majority leader philip baruth, had said earlier not planning endorse candidate. endorsed burlington free press, praised articulated plans vermont s economy , government.

dunne finished second in august 9 primaries, , endorsed winner, sue minter.

positions

dunne emphasized ethics, transparency, , campaign finance reform in campaign, plan require greater disclosure of campaign assets, close revolving door between regulators , industry in montpelier, improve vermont s public campaign financing, , eliminate direct corporate contributions campaigns. campaign voluntarily released more campaign finance reports required state law, , unsuccessfully called on dunne s opponents same.

dunne supported increasing minimum wage $15 per hour , investing in microfinancing; providing universal primary health care; divesting fossil fuels , investing $100 million in efficiency, solar, , heat pump technology; improving women s equality through paid family leave, affordable state-run child care, free access long-term birth control, , improving job training opportunities women in stem fields; improving enforcement of racial , lgbtqa anti-discrimination laws; emphasizing treatment on law enforcement in addressing vermont s opioid abuse epidemic; , legalizing , regulating marijuana. supported universal background checks gun sales in vermont, unlike rivals has not called ban on assault weapons.

climate activist bill mckibben endorsed dunne in race, later switched support dunne s rival sue minter after dunne released statement on wind power advocating more local control on projects, position mckibben considered dog whistle opponents of wind expansion. environmental group vermont conservation voters, had been neutral in race, endorsed minter same reason. dunne s campaign manager responded minter had not articulated position on ridgeline wind, saying matt made decision clear , being attacked it.”