Richard McCormack (politician)

Richard "Dick" McCormack was born in New York City on July 20, 1947, a son of John Houghton McCormack and Irene Cecile (Tuohy) McCormack.[1][2] He was raised and educated in New York City, and graduated from Bayside High School in Queens in 1965.[3] McCormack graduated from Hofstra University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in U.S. History and moved to Bethel, Vermont later that year.[2] McCormack studied Secondary Education at Castleton State College from 1977 to 1978 and received a Master's degree in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School in 2002.[2]

McCormack was a professional musician and singer from 1967 to 2000 and taught U.S. history and government and the history of rock and roll in the Vermont State Colleges system.[4] McCormack's shows typically included songs, storytelling, and commentary, and he performed at coffee houses, concert halls, weddings, bars and churches.[4] He recorded nine albums, and also hosted a show on Vermont Public Radio, Dick McCormack’s Veranda.[4]

Before entering the State Senate, McCormack was a Bethel justice of the peace from 1984 to 1989.[2] In addition, he served on the District III Environmental Commission and was its chairman from 1986 to 1989.[2]

McCormack has served on the board of directors for several civic organizations, including: Vermont Public Interest Research Group; Vermont Adult Basic Education; AIDS Community Resource Network; the Emerge Family Access Center; Champlain Valley Folk Festival; Earth Rights Institute, Operation Laundry List; and Vermont Sierra Club.[2]

A Democrat, McCormack ran unsuccessfully for the Vermont Senate in 1988.[5] In October 1989, McCormack was appointed to fill the Senate vacancy created by the resignation of Stephen Reynes.[5] He was elected to a full term in 1990 and reelected every two years from 1992 to 2000, and served from 1989 to 2003.[2] From 1997 to 2001, McCormack was the body's Majority Leader.[2]

In 2006, McCormack was again elected to the State Senate.[2] He was reelected every two years from 2008 to 2018, and has served since 2007.[2] During his Senate service, McCormack has served at different times as chairman of the Natural Resources and Energy Committee, vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and a member of the Health and Welfare, Education, General Affairs and Housing, Institutions, Finance, Appropriations, Judicial Rules, Legislative Rules, and Administrative Rules Committees.[2] He has also served as co-chairman of the legislature's Climate Solutions Caucus.[2]

In 1979, McCormack married Joan Carol Connor.[6] They divorced in 1981.[7] From 1994 to 1996, he was married to Wendy Henderson.[8][9]

In 2004, McCormack married Cindy Metcalf,[1] who formerly served as chief of staff to Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine and chairwoman of the Vermont Democratic Party.[2] Between them, they have five grown children and six grandchildren.[2]

Curt McCormack, a longtime member of the Vermont House of Representatives, is McCormack's brother.[5]

• McCormack for Senate at Facebook.com
• Dick McCormack Archives at VT Digger.org

• Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. 2001. p. 157.