Peter Shumlin

Taxes have once again fueled the political mudslinging between Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and gubernatorial challenger House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), with both candidates issuing dueling remarks Thursday about their tax policy.

At a press conference, Douglas attacked the state legislature, Symington and state Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin (D-Putney) for failing to respond to rising property taxes.

MONTPELIER -- Although he's not facing a Democratic opponent right now, Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie doesn't expect that his path to a fourth term will remain clear for much longer.

"I assume that I will have a strong, well-funded opponent," Dubie told PolitickerVT.com last week. "But competition makes you stronger and I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign."

There has been speculation over potential Democratic challengers for the state's No. 2 job but nobody has yet to make a formal announcement.

Lt. Gov. Brian DubieThursday morning on Charlie and Ernie's WVMT-AM radio talk show, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie announced that he will run for re-election. Dubie, a conservative Republican, is wildly popular throughout Vermont, despite his strong support for President Bush and his pro-life position. Dubie has been fortunate to have won three-way contests for the lieutenant governor's post. We will see how this year's race will unfold to see if a three-way race with a Progressive and a Democratic candidate develops that would help keep Dubie in office.

On Thursday, 43 Democratic legislators endorsed Barack Obama.

The list of endorsers includes Senator Susan Bitter Smith, Senator John Campbell, and Senator Bill Carris.

“After years of a bitterly divided nation, Senator Obama offers the hope of uniting us behind a common purpose. He's reminding us of the good we can accomplish if we all work together. He is engaging the young people of this nation in a way that inspires new hope,” said Senate president Peter Shumlin.

Independent State Representative Darryl Pillsbury's announcement that he is challenging Democrats Peter Shumlin and Jeanette White for their Windham Senate seats signals the start of what is sure to be a closely watched race.

Pillsbury, who has served in Montpelier for four terms, doesn't mince words: he'd rather take out Shumlin, the Senate President.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin is taking aim at Republican Governor Jim Douglas. The topic: public safety.

The Vermont Republican Party is hitting Senate President Peter Shumlin Tuesday. The subject: Catamount Health.

WASHINGTON, DC - Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs, here today to attend the National Governors Association conference, is weighing in on State Representative Daryl Pillsbury’s challenge to Senate President Peter Shumlin with something of a prediction.

“I honestly believe Senator Shumlin is going to have a race on his hands,” Gibbs said.

“Pillsbury is a man who says what he means and means what he says.”

Rep. Daryl Pillsbury (I-Brattleboro) has announced that he will challenge Democratic legislators Sen. Peter Shumlin and Sen. Jeanette White in Windham county’s senate contest this fall.

Insiders are abuzz about a Saturday Brattleboro Reformer piece pitting the Douglas administration and Senate President Peter Shumlin against one another.  read more »