Vermont Republican Party

10/05/2026 | Press release | Archived content

VTGOP Chair Demands Public Apology from Democrat Misusing Late Republican Leader’s Words

For Immediate Release
October 5th, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

VTGOP Chair Demands Public Apology from Democrat Misusing Late Republican Leader's Words

Recently Democrat Senate candidate Irene Wrenner sent out a mail piece using words alleged to be from the late Republican House Leader and beloved Milton icon, Don Turner Jr. VTGOP Chairman Paul Dame issued the following statement in response:

"When I saw what Wrenner had done, I was beside myself," said Dame. "I don't think I've seen a more insensitive, disingenuous and selfish thing ever done by a candidate desperate to win a race. Wrenner's postcard appears to be an effort to take someone else's memory of something said by the late Don Turner, and make it appear like an endorsement of her. Two years ago when Don was still with us he endorsed Wrenner's opponent, Chris Mattos and it's just disgusting to see Wrenner trying to mislead people in the very first election we've had since Don's passing. Wrenner never would have dared to put out a postcard like that if Don were still alive today.

Everyone who knew Don Turner knew that he was a good-natured man who would always make an effort to say or do something positive. Don's willingness to speak well of people he disagreed with is being twisted for political gain, and it's one of the dirtiest tricks I've ever seen. This is just one more example of Irene Wrenner's incredibly poor judgement which demonstrates how out of touch she is with the people of her district.

I am also calling on other Democrat Senators who served with Don to publicly condemn Wrenner's mail piece, and join me in demanding her to issue a public apology to the family of Don Turner ."

Over the weekend the Milton Republicans also issued a statement on their facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MiltonGOP/posts/pfbid0yUBkN8W11zEVsFCGk7Vjd4xDbMtcPXE9XUraHf1ayWnxQ9xNWg2p3MHUKVjG47kjl

Vermont Republican Party published this content on October 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 21, 2026 at 04:28 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]