Zachary Harvey. Photo courtesy of the Office of the GovernorGov. Phil Scott has appointed Zachary Harvey to serve as a state representative for the Rutland-3 district, which comprises the town of Castleton. The Vermont House seat had been vacant since Dec. 13 when recently elected Republican Chris Brown resigned citing family health concerns. The appointment comes a day before the Legislature reconvenes for the start of its next biennium. A press release issued by the governor’s office on Tuesday highlighted Harvey’s deep ties to the state as a fifth-generation Vermonter and his professional experience spanning over a decade in the financial sector working for the New York Stock Exchange and its parent company Intercontinental Exchange. “As we enter a new legislative session, I believe we have a real opportunity to address the affordability crisis we face and I’m confident Zak’s perspective will make him an effective legislator,” Scott said in the release. The Castleton Republican Committee put forward two candidates for the governor’s consideration — Harvey and Steven Thompson, the chair of the Rutland County Republican Committee. Harvey said in an interview that he got involved with local politics last year through the Castleton and Rutland County Republican Committees, and was honored to have been selected for the seat. The newly appointed representative identified affordability and education as his top priorities, adding that he particularly hopes to harness the potential of public and private sector cooperation while also managing sustainable economic growth. “There’s a lot of opportunity in bringing business into the state, attracting new talent, but most importantly, retaining talent,” said Harvey. “One of the things that I saw that was really effective in my professional background is the power of public-private partnerships and looking at how corporations can deliver great impact and a lot of good for the state.”While it is a quick turn-around from his appointment to starting the role, Harvey said he is ready to get to work.“It feels like a new dawn in Montpelier with more Republican colleagues joining the governor in the state legislature,” said Harvey. “I’m excited to get to work for Vermonters and to really try to affect a positive change in helping the state.”Read the story on VTDigger here: Gov. Phil Scott appoints Republican Zachary Harvey to Castleton House seat.