Stephen W. Webster (born December 9, 1943) is an American attorney, politician and woodland manager from Vermont. He served as President of the Vermont State Senate from 1995 to 1997.

Stephen W. Webster
76th President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate
In office
1995–1997
Preceded byJohn H. Bloomer
Succeeded byPeter Shumlin
Member of the Vermont Senate from the Orange District
In office
1987–1997
Preceded byAllen D. Avery
Succeeded byMark MacDonald
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orange-1 District
In office
2001–2005
Serving with Philip A. Angell Jr.
Preceded byPhilip A. Angell Jr., Richard W. Mallary
Succeeded byPatsy French, Jim Hutchinson (Orange-Addison-1 District)
In office
1983–1985
Serving with Ralph D. Baker
Preceded byHarold Baker, Barbara Wood (Windsor-Orange-1 District)
Succeeded byRalph D. Baker, Donald M. Hooper (Orange-1 District)
State's Attorney of Orange County, Vermont
In office
June 29, 1972 – January 31, 1979
Preceded byPhilip A. Angell Jr.
Succeeded byJames D. McKnight
Personal details
Born (1943-12-09) December 9, 1943 (age 80)
Randolph, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSusan E. Cliff
Children3
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Boston College Law School

Biography

edit

Stephen Winfield Webster was born in Randolph, Vermont on December 9, 1943.[1] He was educated in the Randolph public schools[2] and graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1966.[3]

Webster was a member of the United States Army Reserve from 1966 to 1972.[4] In 1970, Webster he from Boston College Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.[5]

In addition to practicing law in Randolph and working as a woodland manager, Webster was a member of the boards of directors of the Randolph National Bank and the Vermont Woodlands Association. He served as State's Attorney of Orange County from 1972 to 1979.[6][7]

A Republican, Webster served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1983 to 1985.[8]

From 1987 to 1997, Webster served in the Vermont Senate. In 1995, he was elected Senate President following the death of John H. Bloomer. Webster served until 1997 and was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection to his Senate seat in 1996 and 1998, losing both times to Mark MacDonald.[9][10]

Webster served again in the Vermont House from 2001 to 2005. In addition, he remained active in Randolph, including service on the board of selectmen.[11]

In three additional elections as the Republican nominee for State Senator (2006, 2010, and 2016), Webster ran unsuccessfully against MacDonald.[12] In 2018, Webster ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Vermont House.[13][14]

References

edit
  1. ^ Vermont Birth Records, 1909-2008, entry for Stephen Winfield Webster, accessed June 3, 2012
  2. ^ Braintree-Randolph Union High School, Yearbook, 1958, page 43
  3. ^ Vermont Office of Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1989, page 514
  4. ^ "Candidate profile, Stephen Webster". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. October 23, 2006.
  5. ^ Vermont Secretary of State, Biographical Sketches of State Officers and Members of the General Assembly of 2003-2004, 2003, page 54
  6. ^ United Press International, Orange Prosecutor Named, Bennington Banner, June 30, 1972
  7. ^ United Press International, Motion in a Murder Case, Bennington Banner, July 15, 1974
  8. ^ Vermont Secretary of State, Vermont Legislative Directory, 1995, page 115
  9. ^ John P. Gregg, The Valley News Archived 2010-06-28 at the Wayback Machine, Discontent Drives Vt. Senate Races, June 23, 2010
  10. ^ Vermont Archives and Records Administration Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, Presidents Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate Since 1870, 2011, page 7
  11. ^ M. D. Drysdale, The Randolph Herald, New Selectboard, New Manager In Randolph, October 23, 2008
  12. ^ Doyle-Burr, Nora (October 19, 2016). "Orange County Senate Seat Rivals Face Off for Sixth Time". Valley News. West Lebanon, NH.
  13. ^ "Five candidates on the ballot for two Randolph-area House seats". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. October 29, 2018.
  14. ^ Pendak, Jared (November 7, 2018). "Fresh Candidate Wins in Orange County". Valley News. Lebanon, VT.
Political offices
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
1995 – 1997
Succeeded by