Last year, Vermont became the first state in the nation to pass Marriage Equality into law by a vote of the legislature instead of by a court-decided mandate. And when Vermont's Republican Governor vetoed the bill, one man led the fight to overturn the veto and won.

That man was Peter Shumlin.

Legislative leaders across the country saw Peter's leadership and they followed. Connecticut and New Hampshire passed their own marriage equality bills and leaders in New Jersey and New York tried to do the same. We're finally beginning to turn back the tide and work together as a nation towards equality for everyone. I know we have Peter Shumlin to thank for leading America a giant step closer to making it happen.

Now, Peter Shumlin is running to fill my old office and become Vermont's next Governor. And while it might be hard to believe that Vermont could elect a Republican Governor, it's true. Vermont's current Republican Governor has been reelected 3 times since 2002. It's time to send a Democrat back to the Governor's office. Can I count on you to join me and put this progressive leader over the top?

Yes, I want to elect a progressive leader.

Peter Shumlin is campaigning on his vision for Vermont and it includes establishing a single-payer healthcare system.

It's not just talk.

As the leader of the state Senate last year, Peter passed a healthcare bill that took the first steps towards creating a single-payer system -- but it was just the first step. If he isn't elected Governor this year, no one will lead the fight to finish the job.

And just as other states followed Vermont on marriage equality, I have no doubt that states across the country will look at a successful single-payer system in Vermont and work to create their own. This is how we can keep moving healthcare reform forward across the country. One state will step up to lead and others will follow. With Peter Shumlin as Governor, he will be that leader.

That's why Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Peter's campaign. And that's why I'm counting on you to join us.

Electing Peter Shumlin means moving one step closer to a country that works for everyone -- not just those at the top. It will take leadership to get us there, and Peter will stand up and deliver.

Thank you, joan, because when we work together, we're unstoppable.

-Howard

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
Founder, Democracy for America

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