Political rivals in Vermont bring voters hope by performing a duet together after their fierce debate

Hope Schreiber
·Writer


“Society, you’re a crazy breed.”

Two candidates in Lamoille County, Vt., are fiercely competing for a state House seat. The under-30 candidates are both eager for a win. Lucy Rogers, a Democrat, and Zac Mayo, a Republican, have visited, or plan to visit, every single home in the district they hope to represent. Their drive to win is evident when you recognize that their community holds over 2,000 homes.

Rogers and Mayo came together at Varnum Library in Jeffersonville for a debate on Oct. 10, but what occurred after the verbal sparring has shocked voters, and given them hope.

During a time when politics has never divided Americans more, Rogers and Mayo reached across the aisle by singing a duet together. Their song choice, Eddie Vedder’s “Society,” is fitting.

The performance of the song, with lyrics that question society’s greed and competitive nature, is a humbling reminder that, despite any political beliefs a person may hold, we’re all humans.

“It strikes a chord,” Mayo told CBS. “To say to the world that this is a better way.”

The candidates, who both wanted to run a civil campaign, were at a Fourth of July parade when they realized they shared a passion for music. Mayo plays guitar, while Rogers plays the cello.

It was Rogers who initially had the idea to sing a duet together. “It seemed like a fun thing to do to lighten the tone of the debate. Music has always been an important part of my life, a way to bring people together,” she told Seven Days.

Rogers is hopeful that the attention the duet drew will also encourage voters to watch the entire forum, which she shared on her Facebook page.

Whoever takes the state House seat, it is clear civility has already won the election.

Imagine a world where candidates always came together with the unifying power of music as a symbol at the end of a debate. It would have certainly made discussions between Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton far more enjoyable. I’m picturing a rousing rendition of “Islands in the Stream.”

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