Herb Font-Russell
Encyclopedia
Herb Font-Russell is an American politician from Rutland, Vermont. A Democrat
, he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives
in 2010, representing the Rutland-5-3 district
. He took office on January 5, 2011.
A former flight attendant
, Font-Russell spent almost 30 years with American Airlines
until retiring in 2004. He joined American in 1976, after spending a year with Allegheny Airlines
and two years with Northwest Orient Airlines. He had previously attended two colleges, the State University of New York
and the University of Kentucky
, graduating from neither. Since retiring from American Airlines in 2004, he has worked various jobs, currently being employed by Walgreens
.
He ran for state representative in 2010, one of three candidates seeking one seat in the Rutland-5-3 district. The incumbent state representative, Democrat Steven Howard
was vacating the seat to run for Lieutenant Governor. In the Democratic primary election held on August 24, Font-Russell defeated Daniel P. White by 165 votes to 60. In the general election held on November 2, Font-Russell was elected, defeating Republican nominee Carl J. Haas by 454 votes to 437. He took office on January 5, 2011.
While living in West Virginia
in the 1990s, he had run twice for the West Virginia Senate
, losing races in 1992 and 1996. He moved to Vermont in 2007.
Font-Russell is openly gay; he is married to Roberto Font-Russell. He is one of five openly gay members of the Vermont Legislature, alongside representatives Bill Lippert
(D–Hinesburg
), Brian Campion
(D–Bennington), Suzi Wizowaty
(D–Burlington
) and Jason Lorber
(D–Burlington).
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives
Vermont House of Representatives
The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members. Vermont legislative districting divides representing districts into 66 single-member districts and 42 two-member...
in 2010, representing the Rutland-5-3 district
Rutland-5-3 Vermont Representative District, 2002-2012
The Rutland-5-3 Representative District is a one member state Representative district in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is one the 108 one or two member districts into which the state was divided by the redistricting and reapportionment plan developed by the Vermont General Assembly following the...
. He took office on January 5, 2011.
A former flight attendant
Flight attendant
Flight attendants or cabin crew are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.-History:The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar...
, Font-Russell spent almost 30 years with American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
until retiring in 2004. He joined American in 1976, after spending a year with Allegheny Airlines
Allegheny Airlines
Allegheny Airlines was an airline operating out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1952 to 1979. It was a forerunner of today’s US Airways. Its headquarters were located on the grounds of Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia....
and two years with Northwest Orient Airlines. He had previously attended two colleges, the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
and the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, graduating from neither. Since retiring from American Airlines in 2004, he has worked various jobs, currently being employed by Walgreens
Walgreens
Walgreen Co. , doing business as Walgreens , is the largest drugstore chain in the United States of America. As of August 31st, the company operates 8,210 locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1901, and has since expanded...
.
He ran for state representative in 2010, one of three candidates seeking one seat in the Rutland-5-3 district. The incumbent state representative, Democrat Steven Howard
Steven Howard (politician)
Steven James Howard is an American politician from the state of Vermont. He represented parts of the city of Rutland in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011, except for three terms between 1999 and 2005...
was vacating the seat to run for Lieutenant Governor. In the Democratic primary election held on August 24, Font-Russell defeated Daniel P. White by 165 votes to 60. In the general election held on November 2, Font-Russell was elected, defeating Republican nominee Carl J. Haas by 454 votes to 437. He took office on January 5, 2011.
While living in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in the 1990s, he had run twice for the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
, losing races in 1992 and 1996. He moved to Vermont in 2007.
Font-Russell is openly gay; he is married to Roberto Font-Russell. He is one of five openly gay members of the Vermont Legislature, alongside representatives Bill Lippert
Bill Lippert
William J. Lippert, commonly known as Bill Lippert, is a legislator and gay rights activist from the U.S. state of Vermont who has served since 1994 in the Vermont House of Representatives as a representative of the Chittenden-1-1 House district in Hinesburg...
(D–Hinesburg
Hinesburg, Vermont
Hinesburg is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Abel Hine, town clerk. The population was 4,340 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
), Brian Campion
Brian Campion
Brian Campion is an American politician from Bennington, Vermont. A Democrat, he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 2010, representing the Bennington-2-1 district in Bennington and North Bennington. He took office on January 5, 2011....
(D–Bennington), Suzi Wizowaty
Suzi Wizowaty
Suzi Wizowaty is an author and politician from Burlington, Vermont. A Democrat, she is a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, representing the Chittenden-3-5 district in Burlington...
(D–Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
) and Jason Lorber
Jason Lorber
Jason P. Lorber is a consultant, comedian and politician from Burlington, Vermont. A Democrat, he is a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, representing the Chittenden-3-3 district in Burlington...
(D–Burlington).