Here’s a sign of the hardships of the campaign trail. At Thursday’s luncheon with the grocers and retailers, candidates Peter Shumlin and Matt Dunne ended up at the same table at the back of the room. It happened to be the last table served when it came time to passing out plates of what might have been turkey or chicken.

Shumlin and Dunne had each just taken a bite when they were called to the front of the room for the candidates’ forum. They both looked longingly back at their plates as they left the table.

— Terri Hallenbeck

Labels: Mark Snelling; Vermont politics, Matt Dunne, Peter Shumlin

Susan Bartlett, a Democratic state senator who wants to be governor, has hired a couple of Washington-based experts and a Vermont election veteran to help her make her case to voters.

"This is the beginning of the team we will build," Bartlett said. "I view the campaign as a job interview. David, Alan and John will help me share my vision, credentials and strengths with the people of Vermont."

She will use David Heller of Main Street Communications to develop and place all her advertising. Check out Heller's Web Site.

She has hired Alan Secrest of Cooper and Secrest to do polling. The firm doesn't seem to have a Web site, but there are plenty of stories about their work.

John Bauer, local boy, will help her with "message development, fundraising and data management." Sounds like a campaign manager, but she didn't identify him as such. Bauer's local credentials include managing Jeb Spaulding's first bid to become treasurer in 2002 when he had to fend off Democratic rival Ed Flanagan in a primary.

Bartlett, of course, faces a primary. She one of three officially declared Democratic candidates for governor. The others are Sen. Doug Racine and Secretary of State Deb Markowitz. Sen. Peter Shumlin and former Sen. Matt Dunne have all but jumped into the Democratic race, too. Look for their decisions in the next few weeks.

Based on how many staff the announced candidates have already hired, this is going to be one costly gubernatorial election.

-- Nancy Remsen

Labels: Deb Markowitz, Doug Racine, Matt Dunne, Peter Shumlin, Susan Bartlett

Deb Markowitz has hired Paul Tencher, 29, a Rhode Island native, to run her gubernatorial campaign. Tencher begins Oct. 12.

He currently works as communications director for Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, D-OH, but he said he's ready to leave the polarized world of DC. He's only worked for Kilroy since January.

He has experience on several campaigns, successful and unsuccessful. He worked for a Missouri Democratic congressional candidate who lost in 2008. Earlier he worked for the Rhode Island lieutenant governor, helping her win a primary and then an election. He served as her chief of staff for a year.

Tencher must like a challenge, because Markowitz is far from alone in her desire to run for governor. Other Democrats in the race or giving it serious consideration include Sen. Doug Racine, D-Chittenden; Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille; perhaps Sen. Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, and maybe former Sen. Matt Dunne of Windsor, now with Google.

That's just the Democratic competition. We all await word whether Brian Dubie will choose to be the Republican candidate or if there will end up being a free-for-all primary fight there, too.

-- Nancy Remsen

Labels: Deb Markowitz, Doug Racine, Matt Dunne, Paul Tencher; Brian Dubie, Peter Shumlin, Susan Bartlett

T. J. Donovan, Chittenden State's attorney, has decided to asked the Addison County State's Attorney to handle the investigation in alleged inappropriate conduct in a locker room by Sen. Ed Flanagan, D-Chittenden.

Donovan is moving the investigation to avoid a conflict of interest. He is pondering a run for lieutenant governor. Months ago Flanagan made public that he was considering a run for lieutenant governor rather than re-election to the state senate.

Flanagan said today he isn't actively running, "but I'm not foreclosing it." His focus from now until spring, he said, is on the business of the next legislative session.

Donovan didn't say he was definitely running, but he intends to explore his potential to become the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.

If he's running and Flanagan is running, he said "This circumstance creates a possibility of a conflict between Senator Flanagan and myself. In order to insure the integrity of the process, it is therefore appropriate that an independent review of the allegations occur."

Let's review who else has shown some interest in this office.

There's Rep. David Zuckerman, a Progressive from Burlington who might run as a Democrat to avoid the Progressive/Democratic squabble about who's a spoiler.

Some people mention Matt Dunne, a former Democratic state senator, who ran for lieutenant governor and lost in 2006. Would give it another try or is he only weighing his chances for the state's top job?

There's lots of reported interest on the Republican side of the ledger, assuming the Republican incumbent, Brian Dubie, moves up or on.

Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin, might go for it, assuming Dubie runs for governor.

Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, said he is considering it.

Mark Snelling, businessman and son of former Gov. Richard Snelling and former Lt. Gov. Barbara Snelling, has considered runs for governor or lieutenant governor --depending on Dubie.

Sen. Phil Scott, R-Washington, has given thought to presiding over the Senate as lieutenant governor, too.

Hope I didn't miss anyone.

-- Nancy Remsen

Labels: Brian Dubie, Kevin Mullin, Mark Snelling, Matt Dunne, Phil Scott, Randy Brock, Rep. David Zuckerman, T.J. Donovan; Ed Flanagan