In 1982, Dubie joined Simmons Precision (now Goodrich Aerospace) in Vergennes, Vermont, where he was a project engineer and project manager. He developed fuel systems for military and commercial aircraft. In 1989, he left Simmons to fly for American Airlines, first in the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, and currently in the Boeing 737-800. He has logged more than 10,000 hours in commercial aircraft.
As Vermont's lieutenant governor, Dubie founded the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA)[5] in August 2006.
In October 2006, Dubie was elected chair of Aerospace States Association,[6] a national, non-partisan organization of lieutenant governors and governor-appointees from every state, representing the grassroots of American aerospace.
Dubie's first political experience came as a member of the Essex Junction School Board, in the same school system he had attended and where his children were enrolled. He served as a member from 1995 to 2000, and as chair from 1996 to 2000.[4] His first run for lieutenant governor in 2000 was unsuccessful. He ran again and was elected in 2002, and won re-election by comfortable margins in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
The constitutional responsibilities of Vermont's lieutenant governor are to preside over the state senate and to act as governor when the governor is absent from the state or incapacitated.
On October 1, 2009, Dubie announced his candidacy for Governor of Vermont in 2010 to succeed four-term governor Jim Douglas.[9]
In the general election on November 2, 2010, Dubie received 48% of the votes and DemocratPeter Shumlin 49%. On Wednesday November 3, Dubie indicated that he would not seek a recount, and conceded the election. The Vermont General Assembly (150 House members and 30 senators) selects the winner in contests for governor, lieutenant governor and treasurer when no candidate receives a majority of the vote. On January 6, 2011, the General Assembly elected Shumlin, 145 votes to 28.[10][11][12]
