Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. Nate Freeman says race worth the risk

Northfield businessman Nate Freeman: Campaign photoThe Democratic primary in the lieutenant governor's race is shaping up to be a tale of two very different candidates.

On one side is 62-year-old Thomas Costello, a Brattleboro attorney who has moved in and out of state politics for more than 30 years, serving two terms in the state House in the mid-1970s and three terms in the 1990s. He has chaired numerous committees while in the House and worked with gubernatorial candidate and House Speaker Gaye Symington during his latter years as a state representative. A decorated Vietnam veteran, Costello also worked with various community organizations in his town.

On the other side is Nate Freeman, a 39-year old single father and upholster from Northfield. His limited political experience includes serving as a school board member and a 2006 bid for the state house, when he fell about six points short of Republican Rep. Anne Donahue.

Born and raised in Vermont, Freeman has spent most of his life in the state. At the age of 21 and 19 credits shy of a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Vermont, Freeman launched a life-altering journey around North America with nothing more than a Mobil gas card, $180, and a small motorcycle.

"It was 1990, and I grew up here in Vermont," Freeman told PolitickerVT.com on Tuesday. "Outside of family vacations, I had not seen the world."

Winding through the United States and Canada, Freeman spent several weeks on the road before finally reaching his destination: a fishery in Denali, Alaska. He turned south to Oregon, Colorado and Mexico to pursue his dream of writing literature and poetry. Eventually, he made his way home to the Green Mountain State, where he finished school and received a grant from the Vermont Arts Council in 1999.

His "extraordinary experience" as he calls it, has shaped his outlook on life and inspired him to move into public service. "On the road, people helped me and it was very humbling," Freeman said. "The journey was a circular process. Now I help other people through my public life."

And though Freeman's first attempt running for elected office was unsuccessful, he was inspired to run for the state's No. 2 spot after various high ranking party members declined to challenge Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie (R-Essex Junction).

"When I made the decision to go ahead with this, that decision was final," Freeman said. "Even the appearance of hesitation becomes the reality of hesitation. Things can't wait. This needs to be done."

But with Costello's unofficial announcement on Sunday, the pair faces a primary on September 9, a race Freeman eagerly awaits and the outcome of which he cannot predict.

But the political gamble is something Freeman is comfortable with. "People focus on what could be lost as opposed to what could be gained." Freeman said.

Costello was not available for comment.

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