Candidate Q and A

Author: Tim McCahill

Last Friday, independent candidate for governor Cornelius "Con" Hogan — the so-called "angry outsider" in this year's election — paused from campaigning for an interview with The Campus.

How did college prepare you for the life you're leading now?

I almost flunked out of Rutgers. I partied too much, and I began a bluegrass band back in that era. But I had a pretty rough, unmotivated start as a college student. When I finally got through, I took a master's at the Warton School [University of Pennsylvania]. And the last thing, which I was really honored by, was when I was presented an honorary doctorate from the University of Vermont two years ago when I actually gave their commencement address. Pretty good for a guy who got his start as a prison guard [which Hogan worked as to get him through college].

What was the evolution from prison guard to what you're doing right now?

I needed the prison guard job because I busted out of Rutgers, and I was married, so it wasn't a conscious thought, but it was a wonderful experience. From there I just enjoyed the work and stayed with the work in a lot of different capacities, including commissioner. You learn a lot about human nature, what works and what doesn't work, why we need to start earlier with our kids — all the fundamentals you learn in a prison setting.

And when did you make this decision, to run for governor?

I had never, ever thought about running for governor, because I served four governors. The last three years of my life have revolved around international and national travel on behalf of the Annie Casey Foundation [of the United Parcel Service]. And part of that experience was coming home, and every time I'd come home, and see what we've got [compared to the European nations Hogan visited], and I began to think, well, maybe I'm not tired yet. And I began to size up the quality of the two guys [Democrat Doug Racine and Republican Jim Douglas, running against Hogan in the gubernatorial race], and I realized I've got more experience than they have, I've done a few different things.

What do you think you bring to this election?

The bottom line is that I'm now considered one of the major candidates. Whether I deserve it or not, I am a major candidate. The media is treating me as an equal. I'm pushing some of these issues, and I think the other candidates are treating some of the issues differently now that I'm there. If I weren't in this race those two guys would be at each other's throats, there's no question about it. Because I constantly remind people, when [Douglas and Racine] get in that mode, I say to people, this a preview of your next administration.

What is it about being an independent running for governor?

As an independent you run as the Lone Ranger. Just the idea to be able to call it as you see it and put together coalitions that aren't bound by some philosophy — all of it added up, and it's never been better in Vermont. You add it all up and I'm sleeping well at night.