Vermont Republican leaders are distancing themselves from Senator Sam Douglass following his involvement in a scandalous leaked group chat. Governor Phil Scott publicly called for Douglass’s resignation after derogatory remarks about race and ethnicity came to light. The fallout from this incident has resulted in significant backlash from both sides of the political spectrum.
Details of the Controversy
On October 14, 2025, a Politico article detailed offensive exchanges in a group chat among members of the Young Republicans, a national organization. These comments included racial slurs and violent jokes. Douglass has not resigned despite growing pressure to do so.
Response from Governor Scott
- Governor Phil Scott described the comments as “vile and disgusting.”
- He called on Douglass to “clean up his act” and emphasized a need for better standards in communication.
- Scott has a zero-tolerance policy for such language and has since deleted social media posts endorsing Douglass.
Senator Douglass’s Reaction
Douglass, 27, issued a press release condemning the comments in the group chat and claimed to have severed ties with those involved. He described his participation in the chat as minimal, framing it as a procedural role related to bylaws and strategy. In his statement, he expressed remorse for dragging his constituents into the controversy.
Political Consequences
The incident has led to rejections from Republican colleagues. Northeast Kingdom senators publicly disavowed Douglass, expressing that such comments have no place in society. Vermont GOP Chair Paul Dame described the language in the chat as “shocking and grotesque” and announced plans to remove Douglass from his party duties until the issue is resolved.
Community and Professional Impact
- Douglass works as a mental health professional and real estate agent.
- Lamoille County Mental Health Services is investigating the matter while reaffirming their support for all individuals.
Background on Sam Douglass
Douglass won his Senate seat in the 2024 elections, defeating Democrat Katherine Sims by over 2,200 votes. Governor Scott had previously endorsed Douglass, promoting him as a candidate aligned with the needs of the Northeast Kingdom.
The current scandal highlights significant challenges within the Vermont GOP, as leaders grapple with the fallout of Douglass’s actions and the reputation of the party.
