Deb
Markowitz, presumably a candidate for governor in 2010, released how much money she had amassed for this effort on the day before the filing deadline -- a challenge to her would-be opponents.
Her total -- more than $190,000, she said, with 90 percent from Vermont and Vermonters. In all, more than 1,000 folks have lined up behind
Markowitz, a Democrat from Montpelier who currently serves as secretary of state.
Markowitz started before the rest of the field of potential Democratic candidates, so it is hardly surprising if she ends up with more money when all the reports are filed. The other folks who have said they are in the race are Sen. Doug Racine, D-
Chittenden, and Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-
Lamoille. Racine has been busy since the legislative session wrapped up, while Bartlett went public only a few weeks ago.
Obviously a head start in raising money and securing supporters is important. Time will tell if
Markowitz's presumed advantage now sticks. Sometimes a leader steps out of the pack and runs away with the race and sometimes a leader is only a rabbit who loses momentum on the steeps because everyone else held back until it counted.
Markowitz argues in her
announcement about her funding -- "This early success is a
demonstration of a true movement for real change and new leadership for Vermont."
How important do you think the money tallies are in July 2009, 16 months before the election?
-- Nancy
RemsenLabels: campaign finance, Deb Markowitz, Doug Racine, fundraising, gubernatorial race, politics, Susan Bartlett, Vermont
