Immigration

Candidate Wants To Change Subject When Confronted With Family Labor Abuse Allegations

Illegal migrants

Democratic Vermont Lt. Gov. candidate Molly Gray dodged a question during a Wednesday debate about the alleged mistreatment of migrant workers on her family farm after campaigning on treating everyone with “dignity.”

Republican Vermont Lt. Gov. John Rodgers accused Gray’s family farm of “serious labor violations” surrounding its treatment of migrant workers during the debate. Gray’s platform includes defending human rights and providing “human treatment” to any illegal alien detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but she fumbled when confronted about her own family’s alleged treatment of immigrant workers.

“Your campaign website also says you believe everyone has the right to live with dignity and ensure humane treatment. But your family farm was at the center of serious labor violations surrounding its treatment of H-2A migrant workers. 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?” Rodgers said.

“Wow, you know, John …. it seems like kind of a new low here, I’m on the ballot, my experience, my background, my policies are on the ballot. My family is not on the ballot,” Gray said. “So I’m gonna give you an opportunity to ask a different question.”

Gray’s campaign website mentions her upbringing on the farm, stating that she learned “everyone has the right to live with dignity and to have their basic needs met.”

Records do not state that Gray was responsible for managing the farm or its worker housing, or that she knew about the conditions, the Vermont Daily Chronicle reported.

Rodgers’ campaign shared records showing that Four Corners Farm, a fruit and vegetable farm owned by Gray’s parents and brothers, was investigated by state agriculture and labor officials for housing quality violations in 2024 and 2025, according to the Vermont Daily Chronicle. Farmworkers living on the property were seasonal laborers on federal visas.

In August 2024, workers directed Vermont labor officials to view their housing conditions, according to the records reported by the Vermont Daily Chronicle. An investigation by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture identified a series of problems, including the livestock living directly beneath the kitchen area used by workers, heating concerns, damaged flooring and screening and inadequate insulation. An official said the showering area in the basement lacked privacy or ventilation.

The Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an onsite inspection in November 2024 and issued a citation the following month, the Vermont Daily Chronicle reported. The Vermont Division of Fire Safety identified fire hazards and deficiencies involving plumbing and heating during a Jan. 22, 2025, inspection.

A Vermont Public poll from Sept. 28 found Gray leading Rodgers 43% to 35%.

Gray served as lieutenant governor from Jan. 7, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2023. She did not run for reelection in 2022 when she unsuccessfully ran for a U.S. House seat. She is currently trying to reclaim her old job.

Rodgers served as a Democrat in the state Legislature and has attempted to depict himself as a nonpartisan, despite running as a Republican, according to Vermont Public.