O'Connor's election as Speaker was noteworthy because he was the first Democrat to hold the post since the founding of the Republican Party in the 1850s.
In addition, O'Connor's election made headlines because he was from the minority party in the House.
[4][5] In 1980 O'Connor was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, afterwards returning to his Brattleboro law practice.
[6] O'Connor practiced law until his 2011 retirement, also continuing to serve in local offices including Town Meeting Moderator.
Kate O'Connor served as a top aide to Howard Dean during his governorship and 2004 presidential candidacy.