Galbraith, considering race for governor, prepares for Montpellier appearance

Former ambassador and potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Galbraith will be making an appearance before Democratic lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.

“It will be an opportunity for him to introduce himself and touch base,” state Democratic Party executive director Jill Krowinski said, adding that this is the first of several trips to Montpellier that Galbraith is planning to make.

Krowinski said that the former ambassador will not be making a formal campaign announcement tomorrow.

Galbraith, reached at his Townshend home Monday, said the visit was “a sign I’m seriously considering (entering the race).”

“I wouldn’t just be travelling up to Montpellier,” he said.

Galbraith said he had not assembled a campaign, but was in conversations with, as he put it, “the usual suspects.” He said he had spoken with Senate President Peter Shumlin, House Speaker Gaye Symington, the state Democratic Party, key members of the state legislature, and old friends from his tenure as Vermont Democratic chair in the late 1970s.

The race for governor so far has attracted Progressive Anthony Pollina, a longtime activist who ran for the seat in 2002. No Democrat has entered the race.

Galbraith said that Pollina’s candidacy did not dissuade him from launching his own campaign.

“He is not running to be the Democratic candidate,” Galbraith said.

Should he enter the race, Galbraith’s opponents will have difficulty disputing his record of accomplishment. He spent several decades working as a foreign advisor and diplomat before being named the first U.S. Ambassador to Croatia. In 2006 he authored a book about the Iraq war.

Galbraith disputes the notion that he would be a better fit working in a Democratic White House.

“What has been true of my career in diplomacy is an ability to get things done,” he said, adding that it is that same skill that would serve him well in the governor’s office.

Galbraith says that he has no timetable for a decision about entering the race.

“There’s no phenomenal urgency,” he said.

Should he challenge Douglas, he said, he would run a positive campaign, stressing his outsider credentials and articulating to voters what he would accomplish as governor.