Brian D. Burns

Brian D. Burns (born November 17, 1939) was a Vermont political figure who served as Lieutenant Governor.

Biography

The nephew of Burlington, Vermont Mayor John Burns, Brian Douglas Burns was born in Burlington on November 17, 1939.[1][2] He graduated from Burlington's Cathedral High School in 1958, attended the University of Vermont and became active in the real estate business.[3][4]

In 1966 he ran successfully for a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives. Burns served four terms, 1967 to 1975.[5]

Burns was the successful Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in 1974. Since he fell 256 votes short of the majority required by the state constitution, the contest was decided by the Vermont Legislature, which voted for Burns, 161 to 20.[6] He served from January, 1975 to January, 1977.[7]

In 1976 Burns was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor, losing a three way race to State Treasurer Stella Hackel.[8] (Hackel went on to lose the general election to Republican Richard Snelling).[9]

After leaving the Lieutenant Governor's office Burns was employed as New England Director for the Farmers Home Administration.[10][11]

Burns was an unsuccessful candidate for Mayor of Burlington in 1985, losing a three way race to incumbent Bernie Sanders.[12]

In 1988 Burns unsuccessfully sought a seat in the Vermont Senate.[13]

From 1989 to 1993 Burns was a Program Manager for the Northeast Rural Water Association.[14] While in this position he also completed a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University.[15] In 1995 he was convicted of three counts of fraud for having claimed to be working full time for the association while he also claimed to be attending Harvard University full time.[16] He appealed, and his conviction was affirmed.[17]

Sources

  1. ^ The National Conference of Lieutenant Governors, Biographical Sketches and Portraits, published by the conference, 1976, page 1977
  2. ^ Newspaper article, Burns Denies 'Party Hack' Charge as Gloves Off Campaigning Begins, by Russ Garland, Bennington Banner, June 26, 1976
  3. ^ Commencement program, published by Cathedral High School, 1958, page 3
  4. ^ Vermont Legislative Directory, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1971, page 768
  5. ^ Newspaper article, Rep. Burns Runs for Lt. Governor, Bennington Banner, March 11, 1974
  6. ^ 1974: Lieutenant Governor, published by Vermont Secretary of State, June 9, 2006
  7. ^ Lieutenant Governors, Terms of Service, published by Office of the Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, 2011, page 2
  8. ^ Primary Election Results, published by Office of the Vermont Secretary of State Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, 2006, page 2
  9. ^ Official Report of the Canvassing Committee, United States and Statewide Offices, General Election, November 2, 1976, Vermont Elections.org, undated, page 1
  10. ^ National Journal, National Journal Group Inc., 1977, page 1389
  11. ^ Export Directory, published by U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service, 1978, page 23
  12. ^ Newspaper article, Country's Only Socialist Mayor Easily Defeats Six Opponents to Win His Third Term in Vermont City, by Associated Press, published in Los Angeles Times, March 6, 1985
  13. ^ Vermont State Legislature Candidate listing, published by Vermont Secretary of State, 1988
  14. ^ In The Main, Newsletter published by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Spring, 1993
  15. ^ Press release, Negotiation Skills Will be Taught at UVM MPA Program Course, by University of Vermont, January 3, 1992
  16. ^ Newspaper article, Burns Convicted of Fraud in Vt. The Boston Globe, July 7, 1995
  17. ^ United States of America, Appellee, v. Brian Burns, Defendant-Appellant., 104 F.3d 529 (2nd Cir. 1997), published by vLex, 1997
Political offices
Preceded by
John S. Burgess		 Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
1975–1977		 Succeeded by
T. Garry Buckley