Diane B. Snelling (born March 18, 1952) is an American politician from Vermont who served as a Republican member of the Vermont Senate, representing Chittenden County. Snelling was first appointed to the Vermont State Senate in January 2002 by Governor Howard Dean to serve the remainder of her mother, Barbara Snelling's, term in office, after her mother retired from the Senate.Gram, David. "Diane Snelling stepping up to seat: Daughter will fill state senate seat her mother is leaving." Bennington, Vermont: Bennington Banner, January 18, 2002, front page (subscription required).Gram, David. "Dean chooses younger Snelling." Rutland, Vermont: Rutland Herald, January 18, 2002, front page (subscription required).
She won election to her seat in 2002 and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. She resigned in 2016 to become head of the Vermont Natural Resources Board."Democrats maintain seats in Chittendon." Burlington, Vermont: The Burlington Free Press, November 6, 2002, p. 5 (subscription required).
Biography Snelling was born in Philadelphia on March 18, 1952. She received an A.B./V.E.S. (Visual and Environmental Studies) degree from Harvard/Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1974 and a M.A. in art from New York University in 1994.
Snelling moved to the town of Hinesburg, Vermont in 1983 and continues to reside there. She works as an artist.Gram, "Dean chooses younger Snelling," Rutland Herald, January 18, 2002.Mace, David. "As one Snelling departs, another moves to replace her." Rutland, Vermont: Rutland Daily Herald, January 9, 2002, p. 5 (subscription required).
Snelling's father, Richard Snelling, served as Governor of Vermont from 1977 to 1985 and was elected again in 1990, serving until his death in 1991. After her father's death, Snelling's mother, Barbara Snelling, went on to serve as Vermont's Lieutenant Governor, and then as a State Senator."Mansfield-Snelling." Rutland, Vermont: The Sunday Rutland Herald, June 28, 1981, p. 21 (subscription required).Gram, "Diane Snelling stepping up to seat," Bennington Banner, January 18, 2002.Gram, "Dean chooses younger Snelling," Rutland Herald, January 18, 2002.Mace, "As one Snelling departs, another moves to replace her," Rutland Daily Herald, January 9, 2002.
In 2002, after her mother resigned for health reasons, Snelling was appointed to serve out the remainder of her mother's term by former Governor Howard Dean. She served until 2016, and was the only Republican in the six-member Chittenden County State Senate delegation during her tenure.Gram, "Diane Snelling stepping up to seat," Bennington Banner, January 18, 2002."Democrats maintain seats in Chittendon," The Burlington Free Press, November 6, 2002.Gram, "Dean chooses younger Snelling," Rutland Herald, January 18, 2002.Mace, "As one Snelling departs, another moves to replace her," Rutland Daily Herald, January 9, 2002.
Public life Her public service includes:
Member, Hinesburg, Vermont Planning Commission (1984);Gram, "Dean chooses younger Snelling," Rutland Herald, January 18, 2002. Member, Hinesburg School Board (1985–1991); State Senator, 2002–2016; and Member, Vermont Advisory Committee, United States Commission on Civil Rights (appointed 2008)."O'Brien, Reed appointed to Vermont Civil Rights panel." Brattleboro, Vermont: The Brattleboro Reformer, April 17, 2008, p. 10 (subscription required)."State civil rights panel appointed." Burlington, Vermont: The Burlington Free Press, March 5, 2011, p. 7 (subscription required).
In 2013, Snelling considered pursuing a candidacy for Senate President, but ultimately decided against running.Paul Heintz, Seven Days, As Legislature Convenes, Snelling Drops Pro Tem Bid; Campbell Reelected, January 9, 2013
See also Members of the Vermont Senate, 2005–2006 session Members of the Vermont Senate, 2007–2008 session
References
External links Vermont Senate Biographies The Re-elect Diane Snelling for Senate website