Sen. Phil Scott, R-Washington, plans to make an announcement Tuesday about his political plans. Which is to say he's in the race for lieutenant governor, joining fellow Republican Mark Snelling and who knows who else.
Meanwhile, Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, announced today he's not running for LG. He thinks his role would be more limited there than as a state senator.
More on this a bit later today when we post our weekly "Tuesday political thing."
- Terri Hallenbeck
Labels: Hhil Scott, Lt. Brian Dubie; Mark Snelling; Randy Brock, Mark Snelling, vermont politics
Democrats are back shaking the trees in search of a candidate for lieutenant governor now that T.J.Donovan, Chittenden County States Attorney, has decided against running.
Donovan, 35, announced his decision in an e-mail earlier today. He and his wife are expecting a baby, so this didn't seem like the the year to crisscross the state in search of votes, he said.
"We are looking," said Robert Dempsey, executive director of the Vermont Democratic Party.
There's been plenty of interest among Republicans, although only one has jumped into the race -- Mark Snelling. Still weighing their options are three state senators, Phil Scott, Kevin Mullin and Randy Brock.
Rep. David Zuckerman, a Progressive from Burlington, also continues to consider running for lieutenant governor or a run for the state senate, he said today. Zuckerman said that Donovan's decision "certainly changes the equation. Zuckerman has said he might run in the Democratic primary.
Concerning Zuckerman's possible run in the primary, Dempsey would only say that "If that is something Rep. Zuckerman would like to attempt, that is something we could let voters decide."
Democrats will have a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, Dempsey said. "We are going to have a full slate."
-- Nancy Remsen
Labels: Kevin Mullin, Lt. Brian Dubie; Mark Snelling; Randy Brock, Mark Snelling, Phil Scott, T.J. Donovan; David Zuckerman
Others may still be pondering. Republican Mark Snelling of Starksboro has made up his mind. He's running for lieutenant governor in 2010.
Snelling is a businessman and son of two prominent Republican politicians -- the late Gov. Richard Snelling and former Lt. Gov. Barbara Snelling who is at a point in life when he'd like to be a public official who tries to make a difference.
"I have worked in the public and private sector for the last 35 years and I believe I have the skills and the knowledge of Vermont and public policy to be a strong voice and an active participant in the work that must be done."
He's never run for any public office before, but says he's had plenty of behind the scenes experience in the campaigns of his mother and father.
Snelling had considered a run for governor -- but only if Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie decided against running. Dubie has yet to announce his intentions, but Snelling said he'd made up his mind and wanted to let people know.
There are other Republicans who have been considering runs for lieutenant governor including Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin; Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, Sen. Phil Scott, R-Washington and former House Speaker Walter Freed. On the other side of the political ledger there's Democratic States Attorney T.J. Donovan who said today he was exploring a run. So is Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, who has said he might run in the Democratic primary. Sen. Ed Flanagan, D-Chittenden has also voiced interest.
Snelling doesn't expect to hit the campaign trail immediately, but expects to crisscross the state soon enough. He hasn't set a figure for how much he might have to raise, but noted that Dubie raised $185,000 in his last run for lieutenant governor.
"Campaigning in Vermont is fun," he said. "I'm looking forward to it.
-- Nancy Remsen
Labels: Ed Flanagannga, Kevin Mullin, Lt. Brian Dubie; Mark Snelling; Randy Brock, Phil Scott, Rep. David Zuckerman, TJ Donovan
