Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington's campaign revolves around an automobile motif. Her campaign likes to argue that Vermont is "stuck in neutral" and needs to "get in gear." She's sponsored a "Symington for Governor" racecar at Thunder Road and energy reform and improving the state's transportation infrastructure are on the list of her top issues.

And the car theme makes sense. The woman has drive.

So much for our promise to liberate Iraq, not to occupy it, and not to cart off its riches.

Who will park here? The House Speaker's reserved parking space at the State House in Montpelier: Politicker PhotoWith House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) relinquishing her position in Vermont's Legislature to attempt to unseat Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), the state House's top spot is up for grabs for the first time in five years when Symington was unanimously elected. While no state representatives have publicly stated if they will make a bid to wield the gavel next year, some are considering the prospect.

In compiling this list, PolitickerVT.com spoke to political experts and leaders from both sides of the aisle to see who they thought were considering running for the House Speaker's position. Some names were mentioned more than others: Majority Leader Carolyn Partridge, Assistant Majority Leader Floyd Nease, and state Reps. Mark Larson, Shap Smith, and John Rodgers.

Former state Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) officially announced his bid to represent Franklin County in the state Senate. 

Brock issued the statement this afternoon - a few hours after PolitickerVT.com received information that the former auditor would pursue the state Senatorial seat. He emphasized his past leadership skills and his determination to create jobs for Vermonters, fix energy policy, make housing affordable, reform property taxes and find ways to keep health care costs manageable.   

Former State Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) has decided to run for the Vermont state Senate to represent Franklin County, according to a Republican source.

Brock, who had initially planned to retake the auditor’s office from State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham) this fall, backed away from the challenge after Salmon, a U.S. Navy reservist, was deployed on active duty last week.

Progressive gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina attacked today Republican Gov. Jim Douglas' plan to cut 150 positions within the state government while giving some administration officials "merit" bonuses.

Pollina branded Douglas' "Jim Equals Jobs" program as a failure, citing drops in employment in construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors amidst a dwindling economy and poor economic growth.

House Speaker Gaye Symington: Symington for GovernorGubernatorial candidate and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) challenged Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) this morning to a series of at least fourteen debates that would take place in the fall.

Symington called for the governor to meet with her in each of Vermont's fourteen counties to discuss issues that are most pressing for Green Mountain State residents to provide the most information to the most people while allowing constituents to directly access candidates.