Senator Dick McCormack Contact information

Richard “Dick” McCormack was born on July 20, 1947, in New York City, New York. He grew up in New York City and graduated from Bayside High School in Queens in 1965. McCormack pursued higher education at Hofstra University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in U.S. History in 1970. He later moved to Bethel, Vermont, in the same year. McCormack continued his education at Castleton State College from 1977 to 1978, studying Secondary Education. In 2002, he received a Master’s degree in Environmental Law from Vermont Law School.

Before entering politics, McCormack had a diverse career as a professional musician and singer from 1967 to 2000. He taught U.S. history and government, as well as the history of rock and roll, in the Vermont State Colleges system. McCormack’s performances typically included songs, storytelling, and commentary, and he performed at various venues such as coffee houses, concert halls, weddings, bars, and churches. He recorded nine albums and hosted a show on Vermont Public Radio called “Dick McCormack’s Veranda.”

McCormack’s political career began as a Bethel justice of the peace from 1984 to 1989. He also served on the District III Environmental Commission and was its chairman from 1986 to 1989. In October 1989, McCormack was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Vermont Senate created by the resignation of Stephen Reynes. He was elected to a full term in 1990 and was reelected every two years until 2000, serving until January 2003. In 2006, McCormack was again elected to the Vermont Senate, representing the Windsor District, and has been reelected every two years from 2008 to 2022.

Throughout his tenure, McCormack has served on various committees, including the Institutions Committee, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, and Judicial Retention Committee. He has been an advocate for environmental issues, education, and social justice. McCormack has also served on the board of directors for several civic organizations, including the Vermont Public Interest Research Group, Vermont Adult Basic Education, AIDS Community Resource Network, Emerge Family Access Center, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Earth Rights Institute, Operation Laundry List, and Vermont Sierra Club.

McCormack has been married three times. He married Joan Carol Connor in 1979, and they divorced in 1981. He then married Wendy Henderson in 1994, and they divorced in 1996. In 2004, he married Cindy Metcalf. McCormack resides in Bethel, Vermont.

Senator Dick McCormack’s career is marked by his dedication to public service, his passion for education and the environment, and his diverse background as a musician and educator. His long-standing commitment to the people of Vermont and his extensive legislative experience make him a respected figure in Vermont politics.