Bock wins Democratic Primary in Windsor 3-1; victory in November seems assured

By Shawn Cunningham and Cynthia Prairie
©2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

Tom Bock sprinted to a victory over Melody Reed in the Democratic Primary for Vermont state representative from the Windsor 3-1 District, which includes Chester, Andover, Baltimore and North Springfield.

Despite ballot counting glitches in Andover and Baltimore, by 9:30 p.m. it appeared that Bock had clinched the victory, with a total 314 votes to 283 for Reed.

Here’s the breakdown by towns:  Polling 251 votes to Reed’s 209 in the town of Chester, Bock, a former Chester Select Board member, benefited from a large turnout and name recognition. Town Clerk Deb Aldrich said that a total of  468 Democrats ballots were voted compared to 182 Republican and two Progressive ballots.

Baltimore Town Clerk Deborah Bean told The Telegraph that the race was close with Reed scoring 13 to 12 votes in a town that cast 25 Democratic ballots and 19 Republican.

By 9:30, Andover Town Clerk Jeanette Haight was able to report that Bock had taken 40 votes to Reeds 37.

And results from No. Springfield on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website showed that Reed scored 24 votes to Bock’s 11.

All results still must be finalized by the state. You can read our earlier story here.

With no candidates from any other party stepping up to run, and no Republican winning since Erron Carey won her second term in 2003, Bock’s victory in November is a shoo-in. And in an interesting twist, during Tuesday’s voting, Republican and Progressive decided to write in candidates in enough numbers — at least 25 — to put a candidate on the November ballot, if that candidate agrees.

In this case, that candidate is Democrat Tom Bock, who could add “Republican” to his designation on the November ballot, becoming the candidate of not one party but two. Bock received 44 Republican write-ins in Chester, six in Andover and two in Baltimore, and can now ask Secretary of State Jim Condos to add the Republican designation to his name in November.

A tough battle to victory

It was a hard fought battle for the seat in Montpelier being vacated by state Rep. Leigh Dakin, with the only candidates — two Democrats from Chester –going door to door on the hottest and at times wettest of summer days to talk with potential voters. If lawn signs could cast ballots, their sheer number — popping up like dandelions — was enough to indicate that the vote could be close.

Both candidates also utilized social media as well as telephone trees and open houses to get their messages across to the public.

For a first run for elective office, Reed, a lifelong Vermonter, managed a polished campaign that included pamphlets, a website and videos that helped to bring her within spitting distance of a win. Speaking to The Telegraph late Tuesday night, Reed called the close election “a surprise … I was really, really surprised that it was very close. I want to commend Tom for the very civil campaign he ran. I came away from the race with a greater understanding of my community.”

Reached at his home Tuesday night, Bock said, “I’m honored, humbled to represent the people of this district. It was an honest and civil race. We both worked hard in this heat, getting out to meet people and I have to say I’ve found Melody to be a really nice person.”

Bock’s next step as a state rep will be “training on everything from the process to where to hang your coat … I’m interested in the education and natural resources committees because I think those have a direct impact on our area. I’d like to be on a committee where I can help to work some things out.”

Bock, who has lived in Chester for 45 years, is a former small business owner and has served on elected and appointed boards within town and regional government, including the Chester Select and Planning boards, and as chair of the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission. He and his wife have three children and five grandchildren.

Reed, also a Chester resident, is an 8th generation Vermonter who is a founder of the Springfield Steampunk Festival. She and her husband have three children and three grandchildren.

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