Ruth Dwyer

Ruth Dwyer (b. April 25, 1958) is a Vermont political figure who was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Governor in 1998 and 2000.

For the silent film star, see Ruth Dwyer (actress).
Ruth Dwyer
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from the 4th Orange district
In office
January 1995 – January 1999
Preceded byDoris Lingelbach
Succeeded byJames Masland
Personal details
Born (1958-04-25) April 25, 1958
Painesville, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Vermont

Life and career

Ruth Dwyer[1] was born Ruth E. Cook[2] in Painesville, Ohio on April 25, 1958.[3] She attended schools in Glens Falls, New York and Shelburne, Vermont.[1] Her family became residents of Thetford in 1971, and she graduated from Thetford Academy in 1976, afterwards attending the University of Vermont.[4][5] With her then-husband Dr. John Dwyer she operated the Thetford Veterinary Clinic, raised cattle and sheep, and was a horse trainer and riding instructor.[6]

Dwyer served on the Thetford School Board from 1992 to 1994.[7] In 1994 she was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives as a Republican. She served two terms, 1995 to 1999.[8]

In 1998 Dwyer was the Republican nominee for Governor. She defeated ski store owner Bernie Rome in the Republican primary.[9] In the general election, she opposed Howard Dean as he sought election to a fourth full term. Dean defeated Dwyer, 55.6% to 41.1%.[10]

Dwyer ran again in 2000. Vermont had enacted the country's first Civil Unions law in 2000, which sparked a conservative counter-movement called Take Back Vermont. Dwyer associated herself with this movement, and defeated William Meub in the Republican primary.[11][12] In the general election, Dean won a fifth full term with 50.4% to Dwyer's 37.9% and 9.5% for Progressive nominee Anthony Pollina.[13]

After her second race, Dwyer briefly became a television journalist for WVNY in Burlington.[14] In 2001 she was divorced from Dr. Dwyer,[15] and in 2002 she married New Hampshire businessman Tom Kent and became known as Ruth Dwyer Kent.[16] She continues to reside in Thetford, where she raises horses and operates a riding school. She remains active in the community, including holding the local office of pound keeper.[17]

Sources
  1. Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. 1995. p. 161.
  2. "Ruth E. Cook in the Ohio Birth Index, 1908-1964". April 25, 1958.
  3. CNN, 1998 Candidate Profile from Congressional Quarterly, Ruth Dwyer, accessed February 7, 2013
  4. Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual, 1997, page 212
  5. "Ruth Dwyer to Run for Legislature". Bradford Journal Opinion. Bradford, VT. July 20, 1994. p. 7.
  6. Marcia Tomlinson, Bradford Journal Opinion, Lingelbach Defeated, November 9, 1994
  7. Bradford Journal Opinion, Ruth Dwyer to Run for Legislature, July 20, 1994
  8. Dirk Van Susteren, Howard Dean: A Citizen's Guide to the Man who Would be President, 2003, page 170
  9. CNN, Vermont Primary Results, September 8, 1998
  10. U.S. Election Atlas, 1998 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Vermont, accessed February 7, 2013
  11. Ellen Goodman, Boston Globe, Once Liberal Vermont Surprisingly Divided, reprinted in Baltimore Sun, November 6, 2000
  12. Nancy Remsen, Burlington Free Press, Dont’ Forget to Vote in Vermont’s Primary Election, August 28, 2012
  13. U.S. Election Atlas, 2000 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Vermont, accessed February 7, 2013
  14. Peter Freyne, Seven Days, Inside Track, July 23, 2003
  15. Vermont Divorce Index 1981-1984 and 1989-2001, entry for Ruth E. Dwyer, accessed February 7, 2013
  16. Freyne, Peter (July 17, 2002). "Inside Track: Wedding Bells". Seven Days. Shelburne, VT.
  17. Town of Thetford, Citizen’s Guide to Thetford, Vermont, accessed February 7, 2013

External resources
  • You Tube video, No Hands at Ruth D.'s, Ruth Dwyer giving riding lesson, uploaded by Alexandra Wilson, July 7, 2009
  • C-Span video, Vermont Gubernatorial debate, September 24, 2000 (Includes links to videos of other Vermont Governor's election debates from 1998 and 2000.)
Party political offices
Preceded by
John Gropper		 Republican nominee for Governor of Vermont
1998, 2000		 Succeeded by
Jim Douglas
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