Peter Shumlin (Vermont politician)

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Peter Shumlin

Member of the Vermont State Senate from the Windham district
In office 1992 - 2002, 2006 - present

Born	March 24, 1956 (1956-03-24) (age 52) Brattleboro, Vermont
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Deborah
Residence	Putney, Vermont
Profession	Educator, Businessman

Peter Shumlin is a Democratic member of the Vermont Senate, representing the Windham Vermont Senate District from 1992 - 2002 and 2006 - present. Shumlin served on the Putney Selectboard in the 1980s and helped found Landmark College, which is located in Putney. The college was created to help those people gain a college education who had learning disabilities. Shumlin is dyslexic. He was appointed by Democratic Gov. Madeleine Kunin (D-VT) to fill a vacancy in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1990 through 1992 in Putney. In 1992, he was elected to the State Senate and was soon elected Senate Minority Leader by his caucus.

In 1994, Shumlin led his Senate caucus to win back control of the Senate and became President Pro Tempore. In 2002, he was the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, losing in a three way race between Republican Brian Dubie of Essex and Progressive Anthony Pollina of Middlesex. Shumlin came in second in the contest. From 2003-2006, Shumlin returned to the 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, Shumlin ran for his old seat in the State Senate upon the retirement of Senator Rod Gander, who served in the Senate from 2002-2006. Upon his return to the State Senate, Shumlin was elected to his old position of Senate President Pro Tempore.