Updated at 1:44 p.m.
Gov. Phil Scott on Tuesday appointed North Hero resident and former Democratic candidate for the Vermont House Andy Julow to the state Senate seat previously held by former Sen. Dick Mazza.
Julow is the executive director of the Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corp. He’ll serve the Grand Isle Senate district, which includes the five towns on the Champlain Islands as well as parts of Colchester on the mainland.
Mazza resigned from the Senate in early April due to health challenges, and his seat has been vacant since. He represented the Grand Isle Senate district for close to four decades, making him the second-longest serving senator in Vermont history.
In an interview Tuesday, Julow called Scott’s appointment “an honor.”
“I was 7 years old when Dick Mazza became a senator. So he’s the only one I’ve ever really known,” Julow said. “It’s very humbling to step into the role, for sure.”
Julow previously chaired his local school board and North Hero’s development review board. In 2016, and again in 2020, he ran unsuccessfully for a House seat representing the Champlain Islands.
Scott selected Julow from a list of candidates submitted by Democratic Party leaders in Grand Isle County and the town of Colchester.
“Andy is a lifelong Vermonter with experience serving his community and promoting economic development in the islands,” the governor said in a press release Tuesday, adding that he is “appreciative of Andy’s willingness to serve.”
Tuesday’s appointment is temporary. Julow would have to run, and win, in this fall’s election if he wants a seat in the Senate during the next legislative biennium. He said he hasn’t made a decision on running yet, and is still “giving it some thought.”
The deadline for major party candidates to file for this year’s election is May 30.
Meanwhile, two people have already thrown their hats into the ring for the Grand Isle seat. One is veteran Rep. Patrick Brennan, R-Colchester. The other is Julie Hulburd, a member of the state Cannabis Control Board who has filed to run as a Democrat.
