I'm Mikaela Lefrak.

These are the highlights from Vermont Public's 2026 lieutenant governor debate between incumbent John Rogers and Democrat Molly Gray.

The candidates repeatedly traded criticisms and personal attacks throughout the debate.

Miss gray, you talk constantly about your family farm.

Your campaign website also says you believe everyone has the right to live with dignity and ensure humane treatment.

But your family farm was at the center of serious labor violations around its treatment of H-2a migrant workers.

Why did you not speak out against the mistreatment of migrant workers on your family farm?

And did you use your influence to direct the investigation?

Wow.

You know, John.

Seems like kind of a new a new low here.

I guess I'll say this.

Vermonters have a chance in this election to really think about the type of leadership they want in the state.

When I think about what we see nationally right now, I think about what I want for my kids.

I don't want a self-serving, self-interested bully who not only bullies this town and fails to follow the laws that he helped create.

Yeah.

I'm disappointed.

I think that there's all sorts of questions you could ask me today about policy decisions, but going after my family, that's just a new low and we deserve better.

I would like to ask you to to follow up on one element of the question.

I think John Rogers had had asked you if you had used your influence as a former lieutenant governor in any way during this.

Of course not.

The fine that you need to pay for growing more than 100 cannabis plants at a site where you didn't have permission to grow.

I wonder what you take away from that situation.

Yeah, it's just another place where.

So I was growing in a greenhouse that I had failed to put on the site map.

They chose to come down hard and and give me a fine.

And that's what I'm hearing throughout the industry.

Instead of having people that are helping them come in and succeed.

They feel like the CCP is working against them.

I'm glad we're talking about cannabis today.

I don't think a lieutenant governor should be growing 200 plants off the books.

I mean, it's just like, you know, it's it's not it's inexcusable.

The candidates also disagreed on the highest use of the office of lieutenant governor.

Rogers is running for a second consecutive term.

Gray served one term previously from 2021 to 2023.

I've seen this office work really work for Vermonters.

It's not a ceremonial one.

It can be one that can help advance universal primary care, lower costs for the state by working to advance really key priorities.

It's an opportunity this office to convene, to speak out, to speak out about what's happening in Washington and unlawful federal action when it comes to the state.

It's an opportunity to help Vermonters understand what is right, what is wrong, what is lawful, what is not.

This office can be a real champion, working with other statewide elected leaders to really take Vermont in a new direction.

Work with the legislature and make sure that the voices of Vermonters are heard in Montpelier every single day.

Thank you.

And same question to you.

John Rogers, with the discretionary time that comes with this role, how do you plan to use it?

Yeah.

Well, I think the big difference between myself and my opponent is that I have used the office to do the work of the people.

I've seen it as a great platform that's been under utilized for many years, and I've literally had people come into the office and tell me that they've never seen a lieutenant governor's office do so much work.

Do you also see this role as a space to platform for for policies more broadly that you think that Vermonters want to see past, that maybe are at odds with the federal administration, or is that less of a priority for you as lieutenant governor?

So I think when you look at the two of us who've each had two years there, I used the office to help Vermonters, and my opponent used the office to run for Congress.

Gray and Rogers voiced their different opinions on a proposed constitutional amendment about union organizing and collective bargaining.

Prop three do you plan to vote yes or no on prop three, Vermont's proposed constitutional amendment protecting the right to organize and bargain collectively?

John Rogers.

I will not vote for it.

But if elected, if voters vote for it, I will uphold the Constitution on all things.

Thank you.

Molly.

Absolutely.

It's personal.

My husband's been a teamster for 20 years, and I don't know how you can support workers without supporting workers rights.