Michael J. Obuchowski (born February 4, 1952) is a former member of the

Vermont House of Representatives The Vermont House of Representatives is the lower house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The House comprises 150 members, with each member representing around 4,100 citizens. Representatives ar ...

. Elected at age 20 in 1972, he won reelection 19 times, serving continuously from January, 1973 until resigning in January, 2011 to accept appointment as Vermont's Buildings and General Services Commissioner. Obuchowski served as Speaker from 1995 to 2001.

Biography

Michael John ("Obie") Obuchowski was born in

Bellows Falls, Vermont Bellows Falls is an incorporated village located in the town of Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,747 at the 2020 census. Bellows Falls is home to the Green Mountain Railroad, a heritage railroad; the ...

on February 4, 1952. He graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1970 and attended Harvard University for two years. A

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

, in 1972 Obuchowski was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives. He also began a full-time career as Assistant to the President of Basketville, a Putney business specializing in handmade baskets and other woven products for national and international retailers. Obuchowski was elected every two years through 2010, and held office until resigning in January, 2011 to join the administration of

Peter Shumlin Peter Elliott Shumlin (born March 24, 1956) is an American politician from Vermont. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 81st governor of Vermont from 2011 to 2017. He was first elected to the office in 2010, and was reelected to a ...

as Commissioner of the Department of Buildings and General Services. At 38 years, his tenure is the longest in the history of the Vermont House. During Obuchowski's career he served as Chairman of the House Committees on Education, Energy, Commerce, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Vermont General Assembly's Joint Energy, Transportation Oversight, Telecommunications Study, and Fiscal Committees. In 1995 Obuchowski was named Speaker of the House, succeeding

Ralph G. Wright Ralph G. Wright (born June 10, 1935) is a retired teacher and politician who served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives. Early life Ralph Wright was born in Arlington, Massachusetts on June 10, 1935. He served in the United States ...

, who had been defeated for reelection to his House seat. He served until 2001, when

Republicans Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

gained enough seats to become the majority party in the House. After Peter Shumlin won the race for Governor in 2010, he named

Vermont State Treasurer The State Treasurer's Office is responsible for several administrative and service duties, in accordance with Vermont Statutes. These include: investing state funds; issuing state bonds; serving as the central bank for state agencies; managing the ...

Jeb Spaulding as Secretary of Administration. Obuchowski was considered for appointment to the vacant Treasurer's position, and ultimately accepted appointment as Buildings and General Services Commissioner. In December 2016, Governor-elect Phil Scott announced that Christopher Cole, who had previously served as Vermont's transportation secretary, was his choice to succeed Obuchowski.

Personal

Obuchowski is married to

attorney Attorney may refer to: * Lawyer ** Attorney at law, in some jurisdictions * Attorney, one who has power of attorney * ''The Attorney'', a 2013 South Korean film See also * Attorney general, the principal legal officer of (or advisor to) a gove ...

and lobbyist Clare Buckley, and they are the parents of twins Jack and Nora.Press release, Obuchowski Appointed to Buildings and General Services
, Office of Governor Peter Shumlin, December 27, 2010

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obuchowski, Michael J. 1952 births Living people People from Bellows Falls, Vermont Speakers of the Vermont House of Representatives Democratic Party members of the Vermont House of Representatives