Ruth Dwyer[1] was born Ruth E. Cook[2] in Painesville, Ohio on April 25, 1958.[3] She attended schools in Glens Falls, New York and Shelburne, Vermont.[1] Her family became residents of Thetford in 1971, and she graduated from Thetford Academy in 1976, afterwards attending the University of Vermont.[4][5] With her then-husband Dr. John Dwyer she operated the Thetford Veterinary Clinic, raised cattle and sheep, and was a horse trainer and riding instructor.[6]
Dwyer served on the Thetford School Board from 1992 to 1994.[7] In 1994 she was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives as a Republican. She served two terms, 1995 to 1999.[8]
In 1998 Dwyer was the Republican nominee for Governor. She defeated ski store owner Bernie Rome in the Republican primary.[9] In the general election, she opposed Howard Dean as he sought election to a fourth full term. Dean defeated Dwyer, 55.6% to 41.1%.[10]
Dwyer ran again in 2000. Vermont had enacted the country's first Civil Unions law in 2000, which sparked a conservative counter-movement called Take Back Vermont. Dwyer associated herself with this movement, and defeated William Meub in the Republican primary.[11][12] In the general election, Dean won a fifth full term with 50.4% to Dwyer's 37.9% and 9.5% for Progressive nominee Anthony Pollina.[13]
After her second race, Dwyer briefly became a television journalist for WVNY in Burlington.[14] In 2001 she was divorced from Dr. Dwyer,[15] and in 2002 she married New Hampshire businessman Tom Kent and became known as Ruth Dwyer Kent.[16] She continues to reside in Thetford, where she raises horses and operates a riding school. She remains active in the community, including holding the local office of pound keeper.[17]