BURLINGTON, Vt. -
The battle for Vermont Treasurer is heating up between democrat Beth Pearce and republican Wendy Wilton. The issue at hand isn't something normally discussed in a treasurer's race.
The topic is home ownership and it has been pushed by candidate Wendy Wilton after it came to light that Beth Pearce rents her home in Barre. We talked with a political expert about the legal implications of renting vs. owning then posed the question to both candidates.
Garrison Nelson is a University of Vermont political science professor and has been following Vermont politics for decades. He has a simple answer to whether renting is a legal issue for Treasurer Beth Pearce.
"There are no property restrictions on voting or holding office and that's been true since 1777," Nelson said.
Rutland Treasurer Wendy Wilton says that Vermonters will determine its importance when they vote.
"The concern here is really about the fact that, you know my opponent has made a choice to rent vs. own which is totally her choice but she certainly has the capacity to purchase property," Wilton said.
That's because Pearce has been Vermont's Deputy Treasurer for seven years before being appointed Treasurer in January 2011. She says the issue is irrelevant.
"Frankly I find the discussion of whether someone owns a home and whether that disqualifies them from running for office to be insulting to Vermonters," Pearce said.
But does renting raise the question of whether Pearce is here to stay?
"I have my concerns about it but again the people are going to decide. Not me," Wilton said.
Absolutely not. I'm a Vermonter. I'm committed to public service. With the voters help I expect to be treasurer for many many years to come," Pearce said
Political expert Garrison Nelson knows where this will be resolved though.
"We'll have to wait until Election Day to see if it has an impact."
