Holmes To Run for Legislature,
As an Independent This Time

No sooner had the 2008 legislature wrapped up its business than the The Herald received its first candidate announcement for the 2008 election.

Henry Holmes of Bethel announced he would be an independent candidate to represent Bethel, Rochester, Stockbridge and Pittsfield.

Holmes previously served three terms in the legislature, from 1995 through 2000 as a Republican, and twice he has run unsuccessfully for Windsor County Senate, also as a Republican.

This time, he said, he is running as an independenbt "because we need a representative who is able to work with all parties and to have the district we represent as our primary focus. The constant disagreements between the two major parties takes the focus away from voters’ concerns.

Assuming Rep. Sandy Haas of Rochester runs for reelection that could result in an election between two candidates, neither of which is a member of the two major parties. Haas is a Progressive.

Holmes insisted his independent qualifications are genuine, despite his previous Republican affiliation. He helped pass the Act 60 education funding bill, which is often associated with Democrats, he noted.

He also expressed interest in further exploration of a single-payer system for health care, an idea most generally pushed by Progressives.

The Catamount Health program enacted last year, he said, is too modest. It has been able to sign up only 5000 people, he declared.

"If we are going to have universal health care, it is time to find the means and solutions," he said.

Holmes’ announcement painted a dark view of recent events.

"In the last four years, we have had property taxes rise at an unsustainable rate. In this district the roads and bridges are a shambles, and people can no longer afford the fuel to drive to the doctor’s office or to heat their homes."

The candidate pledged that as an independent, he would refuse any financial contributions by the political parties. He said he planned to visit every home in the district and has established a new email address:

independenthenry@verizon.net.