Anthony Pollina

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.

Gubernatorial candidates are vying to occupy The Pavilion's fifth floor: Politicker PhotoWith the kick-off tours for the top gubernatorial candidates finished, and the race to be the state's top executive officer currently underway, Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina have hunkered down for a long run until Election Day on Nov. 4.

Earlier in the week, leaders from all three candidates' campaigns spoke with PolitickerVT.com about their plans along the campaign trail. Today, political experts give their take on the race and how it's shaping up for the fall.

Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina: Politicker PhotoAt a press conference Wednesday, Progressive Party gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina of Middlesex highlighted concerns that Republican Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) has been "inflating his own record" regarding agricultural issues.

Standing in front of the Agency of Agriculture in Montpeilier, Pollina accused Douglas of "taking credit for work done by citizens and others and staking out positions that serve short-term political goals but are not in keeping with his record."

Throughout his remarks, Pollina made reference to "the Northeast Organic Farmers Association," a Richmond-based non-profit group that he once served as a board member. NOFA, which changed its name five years ago to the Northeast Organic Farming Association, is dedicated to promoting access of local organic food to all Vermonters.

Gubernatorial candidates Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and Anthony Pollina (Prog-Middlesex) both released statements this afternoon blaming Gov. Jim Douglas' (R-Middlebury) policies for IBM laying off 180 jobs today at its Essex Junction plant.

Symington's statement accused the governor of being unaware of the state's economic problems. The House speaker made note of the state's current economic situation, having lost 2,800 jobs during the governor’s term, at a 14-year high in unemployment and possessing the slowest rate of job creation in New England.

“Despite the facts, Jim Douglas says we’re ‘heading in the right direction’ and he spoke last week of Vermont’s ‘growing prosperity,’” Symington wrote. “It shows a lack of awareness and sensitivity to say things are going well when Vermonters are losing their jobs, and those still employed are very worried about the weak economy.”

Gov. Jim Douglas: National Governors Association PhotoLast week, Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) officially launched his fourth re-election campaign, announcing his intentions to supporters in a Saint Albans home after a two-day kickoff tour sent him crisscrossing the state.

During this year's election cycle, Douglas faces two challengers: House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), who officially announced her plan to run for governor in May and Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina, who hit the trail five months ago. Top officials from both camps talked about their campaign plans earlier in the week, and today, Douglas' campaign manager, Dennise Casey, spoke to PolitickerVT.com about the governor's own plans for the weeks and months leading up to Election Day.

Progressive Party gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina: Politicker PhotoGov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) officially announced his bid for re-election last Thursday, and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) wrapped up the kickoff tour of her gubernatorial campaign a few weeks ago, but Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina has been vying for the votes of Vermonters for more than five months.

On Monday, PolitickerVT.com spoke with Michael Carrese, communications director for Symington's campaign, about what the Democratic candidate for governor anticipated had in store for the months ahead. Today, Pollina's communication director Meg Brook fielded questions about the third-party candidate's second bid to become the state's top executive.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington: Symington for GovernorAfter a weeklong blitz of speeches, statewide tours, revamped websites and official announcements, Vermont's gubernatorial race is officially in full swing, with all campaigns eyeing the prize of a solid win in November.

But with Election Day months away, PolitickerVT.com spoke with leaders from the top candidates' campaigns to find out what Green Mountain State residents could expect from House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina and current Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) on the campaign trail throughout the summer and into the fall.

Gov. Jim Douglas: National Governors Association PhotoGov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) rounded out his "Every County Counts" campaign kick-off tour yesterday with an official announcement of his re-election bid at a barbecue get-together in Saint Albans.

In his speech, the governor emphasized that he was both "the voice of change, and the voice of reason," for Vermonters, echoing catchphrases from the current presidential race.

Both of Gov. Jim Douglas' challengers in his bid for re-election bashed the incumbent's past heating and energy policies this afternoon.

The first swipe came from Progressive candidate Anthony Pollina who noted in a statement that constituents were "very worried about paying for heat." He then assailed Douglas for not being more aggressive in seeking federal aid or pressuring congress to stand up to big oil companies.

Pollina went on to condemn Douglas for vetoing a 2007 energy bill and "protecting the profits of Vermont Yankee instead of finding long-term solutions to increasing energy costs."

House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) was next to launch her attack on the current governor, joining Pollina in his criticism of Douglas' rejecting last year's energy bill.

"The Governor has never come to the table with a plan for energy efficiency," said Symington in a statement.  "It is the Legislature that has taken the initiative and endured the administration's foot dragging and opposition to these programs."

The dual statements from their respective campaigns follow a speech Douglas made in Randolph.