Every Saturday morning from 11:00 AM to noon, Jay Hooper settles in behind a microphone at WCVR, a country radio station in central Vermont, and conducts a robust discussion with someone in the political arena. “I’ve interviewed Lieutenant Governor Dave Zuckerman, former Governor Jim Douglas, Secretary of State Jim Condos, current state reps and senators, political candidates, newspaper columnists, even local storytellers. I invite them to talk about what they know best. I get great feedback from my listeners who say they appreciate the candid conversations that help them better understand the issues that impact their own lives.”
His program, “The Heat of the House,” reaches about 50 towns in central Vermont, including the five towns that Hooper represents in the Vermont State House. Hooper graduated from Connecticut College in May 2016 and was elected to the House of Representatives six months later. On Tuesday evening November 3rd, he’ll find out if he has secured his third term in office — at the ripe old age of 26.
“Campaigning was challenging during this pandemic,” he says. “My favorite part of the past two campaigns was going door to door, talking to people in their homes, and listening to their concerns. This year, I was relegated to putting ads in the local paper and maybe doing a little phone banking. And yard signs everywhere.”
The gregarious Hooper began his broadcasting career at Trinity-Pawling where he did live color commentary for varsity hockey games in 2011 and 2012. He says his current radio program provides the chance to speak with his counterparts, often with differing opinions, about crucial issues. Hooper is proud that he’s a Democrat yet has Republican supporters backing him. “They like that I’m nonjudgmental and we can have a civil discussion. I’m open to hearing their viewpoints. I’ve learned to choose my words carefully, and listen more than talk. My job is to understand why someone thinks a certain way, not necessarily to change their mind.”
Hooper is not fond of legislating from his couch via Zoom. “When we’re all together in the State House doing committee work, changes in bills and amendments evolve constantly throughout the day. You can access accurate information quickly from someone down the hall or in the next conference room. It’s much harder to track down information remotely. And so many verbal and nonverbal communication cues are lost over Zoom. My hope is that when the new term starts in January, we can convene in person though socially distanced, close the House to the general public, and take testimony via video or livestream.”
Why did he choose to pursue a career in public service? “I wanted to contribute to society. Character matters in politics, and I strive to be a trustworthy actor in our state government. People can disagree with me, but we still keep things civil. I seek to learn from every person I interact with.”
by Maria Buteux Reade