William T. Doyle

William T. "Bill" Doyle, (born May 8, 1926) is a Republican member of the Vermont Senate. He has represented the Washington Vermont Senate District since 1969.

Biography

Doyle was born in New York City on May 8, 1926. He was raised in New Jersey, and educated at Spring Lake Grammar School, Manasquan High School, and the Lawrenceville School. He graduated from Princeton University in 1949, and received his master's (1955) and doctoral degrees (1960) from Columbia University.

Doyle became a professor of political science at Johnson State College in 1958, and continues to teach there. He became a resident of Montpelier, Vermont in 1959, and has resided there ever since.

In the 1960s Doyle became active in local politics and government, serving on the Montpelier School Board from (1964 to 1968, and as chairman from 1967 to 1968). He served on the Union #32 District High School Board from 1967 to 1968, and on the advisory committee of the Barre Area Vocational High School from 1965 to 68. Doyle was also active in the Republican Party, including service on the Montpelier and Washington County committees, a delegate to numerous state conventions, and a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1976 and 1988.

Doyle was first elected to the Vermont Senate in 1968, and has served continuously since 1969. The Washington County Senate District elects three members of the Senate at-large, and Doyle has routinely been the highest vote getter among the district's candidates. He served as the Senate Minority Leader from 2010 to 2013. In 1984, Doyle published The Vermont Political Tradition, a survey of the state's political development from its formation as an independent republic in 1777 to the election of Madeline Kunin as Vermont Governor. He has continued to publish revised editions periodically since 1984.

Since 1969, he has conducted the annual "Doyle Poll" of town meeting participants across Vermont. Attracting thousands of responses annually, the Doyle poll asks respondents for their views on about a dozen issues of the day. Despite the poll's unscientific nature, the results are widely reported on in Vermont media and considered a barometer of current public opinion.

Family

Doyle is married to the former Olene May Ottaway. They are the parents of two sons and one daughter.

External links

• 2012 Town Meeting Day Survey Results
• Project Vote Smart - Senator William T. Doyle (VT) profile
• Follow the Money - William T. Doyle
  • 2006 2002 2000 1998 1996 campaign contributions