Michael Carrese

Gov. Jim Douglas' re-election campaign demanded Monday that his Democratic gubernatorial challenger, House Speaker Gaye Symington, release her husband's personal financial information to the public.  

Symington, a Jericho resident, released her personal financial information last Thursday afternoon with her campaign finance report, but did not include information for her husband Chuck Lacy, a former chief operating officer for Ben and Jerry's.  

A minor controversy is brewing after the re-election campaign of Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) Tuesday accused the campaign of his Democratic challenger, House Speaker Gaye Symington, of skewing economic figures in an attempt to exaggerate Vermont's economic struggles.

The disagreement has played out in a series of statements released by the campaigns.

On Monday morning, Douglas released a statement that said Symington (D-Jericho) had acted as a "road block" in the legislature to Vermont's economic progress as well as environmental initiatives. 

The 2008 presidential cycle is breaking new ground: the most successful female and minority candidates, huge leaps in voter turnout, and a reinvigorated excitement about politics.

But the excitement generated from the candidates topping the party ticket is not just confined to the presidential race: Vermont officials and political observers are feeling the enthusiasm too. Many have dubbed the phenomena of heightened interest, activism and turnout the "Obama Factor."

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: Politicker PhotoGov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) officially starts his bid for re-election today, kicking off a‘Every County Counts Tour' that will take the governor through all of Vermont's 14 counties over the next 2 days.

Douglas campaign manager Dennise Casey said the events are intended to highlight Douglas' "commitment to hearing every voice, in every corner of the state." Douglas' mobility is believed to be one of his greatest strengths against his challenger, House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho).