In 1966 Hayes , then residing in Middlebury , ran unsuccessfully for governor , and lost the Republican nomination to Richard A. Snelling . He was the successful Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 1968 and served one term , 1969 to 1971 . Active in opposition to the Vietnam War , he made national headlines in 1970 when , as acting governor , he ordered Vermont flags lowered to half staff after the killing of four students at Kent State University by National Guard troops . In response Governor Deane Davis returned to Vermont from a conference and countermanded Hayes 's directive
killing of four students
Kent State shootings
Thomas L. Hayes