{"id":2678836,"date":"2026-10-08T11:07:50","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T15:07:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-dem-candidate-tries-to-play-victim-after-republican-exposes-her-hypocrisy-with-one-debate-question\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T11:11:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T15:11:32","slug":"watch-dem-candidate-tries-to-play-victim-after-republican-exposes-her-hypocrisy-with-one-debate-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-dem-candidate-tries-to-play-victim-after-republican-exposes-her-hypocrisy-with-one-debate-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: Dem Candidate Tries to Play Victim After Republican Exposes Her Hypocrisy with One Debate Question"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwatch-dem-candidate-tries-to-play-victim-after-republican-exposes-her-hypocrisy-with-one-debate-question%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2678836&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The content discusses a Vermont political race between Democratic candidate Molly Gray and Republican Lieutenant Governor john Rodgers. Gray aimed to regain her former position, emphasizing her background on her family farm and promoting progressive values. However, during a debate, Rodgers highlighted serious labor violations on Gray\u2019s family farm involving mistreatment of migrant workers, which Gray attempted to dismiss as a personal attack. The debate revealed ongoing political tensions, with Rodgers criticizing Gray&#8217;s handling of labor issues and Gray defending herself against personal criticism. The article also touches on broader themes of labor rights, immigration enforcement, and political integrity, illustrating the contest\u2019s complexity and the candidates\u2019 contrasting approaches.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Of all the major races in this year\u2019s midterms, Vermont\u2019s lieutenant governor contest wasn\u2019t really on the top of my to-watch list.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, statewide Republicans tend to do better than Republicans trying to get elected to federal office in the Green Mountain State, but it\u2019s still reliably progressive even in the red camp. And, in a midterm year where Donald Trump is not on the ballot, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/new-trump-initiative-takes-away-democrats-number-one-excuse-opposing-save-america-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Democrats<\/a> are going to invoke him even if a RINO is trying to stay in office.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s precisely what makes the race so interesting after Tuesday\u2019s debate, however \u2014 because, when called on her hypocrisy on one of the key issues nationally by current Republican Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, Democratic nominee Molly Gray tried playing the victim card in an unintentionally hilarious manner.<\/p>\n<p>Gray, who previously served in the position from 2021 to 2023, left the position after running in the Democratic primary for the state\u2019s at-large House seat, which she lost to current Rep. Becca Balint. So, she\u2019s trying to get back into her former gig, and she\u2019s been using her time on the family farm to get crossover voters.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, Rodgers said, she\u2019s been talking \u201cconstantly about your family farm\u201d and that her \u201ccampaign website also says you believe everyone has the right to live with dignity and ensure humane treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut your family farm was at the center of serious labor violations around its treatment of H-2A migrant workers,\u201d Rodgers said during the debate. \u201cWhy did you not speak out against the mistreatment of migrant workers on your family farm, and did you use your influence to direct the investigation?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ouch. Fact check: Accurate. From the <a href=\"https:\/\/vermontdailychronicle.com\/molly-gray-family-farm-investigated-for-migrant-farmworker-housing-conditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vermont Daily Chronicle<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>The records, sent Tuesday afternoon to media by the Rodgers campaign, describe an August 2024 visit in which H-2A migrant workers directed Vermont labor officials to their housing. A later Vermont Agency of Agriculture investigation identified a series of problems, including livestock kept directly below a kitchen area used by workers, inadequate insulation, heating concerns, damaged screening and flooring, and a privy within 100 feet of living and food-preparation areas.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The records also describe concerns about a basement shower used by workers. A Vermont Department of Labor official characterized the shower area as unlit and unventilated and said it lacked privacy.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>According to a timeline in the records, the case was referred to the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or VOSHA, in August 2024. The federal Wage and Hour Division subsequently took up the case and conducted an onsite investigation in October. VOSHA conducted its own onsite inspection in November and issued a citation Dec. 3.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If you\u2019re trying to pass yourself off as a woman of the land and also a defender of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ice-arrests-slew-killers-rapists-child-predators-living-communities-across-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">decency for foreigners<\/a> who are here legally or especially illegally, it doesn\u2019t help if you have serious labor violations on your record, particularly if you\u2019re running for office.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Molly Gray family farm investigated for migrant farmworker housing conditions.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/t.co\/WYtpuua3Vf<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Vermont Daily Chronicle (@VTDC802) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/VTDC802\/status\/2107826705574293840?\">October 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Gray seemed completely unprepared for this line of questioning, instead implying that she shouldn\u2019t have to really account for this since it was a personal question.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWow, you know, John \u2014 seems like kind of a new low here,\u201d Gray said. \u201cI\u2019m on the ballot. My experience, my background, my policies are on the ballot. My family is not on the ballot, so I\u2019m going to give you an opportunity to ask a different question.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rodgers refused, noting that \u201cyou talk about your family farm throughout your campaign and on your website, you talk about being there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Gray\u2019s response:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Yeah, I guess, you know, I\u2019m a little bit caught off guard here, and I\u2019m a little bit shocked. You know, I guess I\u2019ll say this: Vermonters have a chance in this election to really think about the type of leadership they want in the state. When I think about what we see nationally right now, I think about what I want for my kids. I don\u2019t want a self-serving, self-interested bully who not only bullies his town and fails to follow the laws that he helped create. You know, I don\u2019t want that in Washington. I definitely don\u2019t want that in this state. And yeah, I\u2019m disappointed. I think that there\u2019s all sorts of questions you could ask me today about policy decisions, but going after my family \u2014 that\u2019s just a new low, and we deserve better.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Using her family is okay, and using H-2A visa holders and treating them like dirt is okay, too, but don\u2019t you dare mess with Molly Gray\u2019s family, even though she\u2019s trying to ride them to statewide office.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Current Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, a Republican from Glover, and former Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, a Democrat from Burlington, d their policy priorities and traded pointed criticisms during a live debate hosted by Vermont Public.<\/p>\n<p>Watch the debate: https:\/\/t.co\/RJ8UKX1vwJ https:\/\/t.co\/W9trw0PdNp<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Vermont Public (@vermontpublic) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/vermontpublic\/status\/2107576905868235091?\">October 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/drive\/folders\/13qMhyBwkyl1JQpccpJRs5gwdIKBYnZln\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Documents<\/a> d with the media showed how bad things were at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/dem-running-iowa-secretary-agriculture-says-farming-isnt-hard-claims-farmers-barely-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">farm<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/scotus-climate-suit-devastate-family-farms-give-china-russia-edge-expert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">farm<\/a> isn\u2019t owned by her, Rodgers said it\u2019s \u201ccentral to her political biography,\u201d which forced Gray to complain.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJohn Rodgers has every right to come after me and my policy ideas, but going after my family is disgraceful and a new low,\u201d she said in response, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wcax.com\/2026\/10\/06\/molly-gray-responds-scrutiny-family-farms-migrant-worker-housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WCAX-TV<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This still doesn\u2019t get around to the substance of the question: If you crow about the inherent dignity of everyone and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mollyforvt.com\/priorities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">using<\/a> the lieutenant governor\u2019s office to \u201cprotect every Vermonter against unlawful and unconstitutional federal actions\u201d \u2014 this includes hindering Immigration and Customs Enforcement in every legally allowable way \u2014 it\u2019s perfectly reasonable to ask how you treat legal immigrants on the family farm that you\u2019re using to sell yourself to the people of Vermont.<\/p>\n<p>Leave it to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/democratic-senate-candidate-begs-kamala-harris-stay-away-campaign-please-no\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Democrat<\/a> to claim a perfectly reasonable question is \u201ca new low.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; 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