Former State Auditor Randy Brock (R-St. Albans) has decided to run for the Vermont state Senate to represent Franklin County, according to a Republican source.

Brock, who had initially planned to retake the auditor’s office from State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham) this fall, backed away from the challenge after Salmon, a U.S. Navy reservist, was deployed on active duty last week.

Franklin County is a two-person district currently represented by state Sens. Sara Kittell (D-Fairfield) and Don Collins (D-Swanton). The seat is considered vulnerable as both incumbents narrowly won election over Republican Alan Parent in 2006.

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• Randy Brock officially announces candidacy for state Senate seat