By Alan J. Keays, VTDigger.org, November 3, 2020
"Incumbent Rep. Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe, withstood a challenge from Democrat Jo Sabel Courtney in one of the most expensive House campaigns in Vermont.
Scheuermann, who has served 14 years in the House, gathered 1,925 votes compared to 1,406 votes for Sabel Courtney.
“I’m overwhelmed with the support of the community this year, I knew it would be a difficult race,” Scheuermann said Tuesday night. “I’m excited and looking forward to continuing to serve.”
The race was not as close as two years ago when Scheuermann beat Democratic challenger Marina Meerberg by 97 votes.
Scheuermann reported contributions of $23,900 during the campaign this year while Sabel Courtney reported raising $21,667, according to the latest campaign finance filings with the Vermont Secretary of State’s Office.
Scheuermann, who owns a property development and management company, touted the work she had done in Montpelier to boost the tourism and hospitality industry. Those are key sectors of the economy for Stowe that have also been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.
While Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was expected to trounce Republican incumbent Donald Trump in voting Tuesday in Vermont, Scheurmann she was hopeful that her race would not be affected by national politics.
“We have really focused our effort on local issues,” she said. “There is obviously a great deal of emphasis or attention paid to national politics and that’s understandable, but we’re running a race for Statehouse.”
Sabel Courtney operates her own public relations firm, Sabel PR and in 1995 she co-founded the Stowe Theater Guild, a community theater organization.
During the campaign she talked of her support for expanding broadband, a paid family leave program, and policies to address climate change.
Sabel Courtney, speaking Tuesday morning outside the polls, said she learned a great deal of the experience of campaigning for office.
“It has been edifying, fulfilling, and a little scary at times,” Sabel Courtney said. “If nothing else, it has informed me for the rest of my life and enriched me.”"