Governor

Ending months of speculation, Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington, a Democrat, will announce that she's running for governor on Monday, The Associated Press reports.

Two Democratic Party sources tell the AP that they were asked to keep their schedules free Monday morning, where Symington's kick-off announcement is expected at 10 a.m. at the statehouse in Montpelier.

Ending months of speculation, Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington, a Democrat, will announce that she's running for governor on Monday, The Associated Press reports.

Two Democratic Party sources tell the AP that they were asked to keep their schedules free Monday morning, where Symington's kick-off announcement is expected at 10 a.m. at the statehouse in Montpelier.

UPDATE, 5:42 p.m.: An advisory from the state Democratic Party confirms that Symington will be making an "announcement" on the statehouse steps at 10 a.m., Monday.

Gaye SymingtonThe state legislative session came to a close two weeks early on Saturday with state House Speaker Gaye Symington, who has been considering a run for governor, announcing that she would not be returning to the chamber. As the Burlington Free Press reported Sunday, Symington, a Democrat, did not clarify whether she plans to launch a bid to unseat Republican Gov. Jim Douglas. The Free Press quoted Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, as saying: "I think Gaye Symington will be a candidate for governor."

Here's another sign that Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington is gearing up for a gubernatorial run. At a recent meeting of Democrats in the town of Jericho, a discussion about upcoming House races apparently had one foregone conclusion: Symington wouldn't be remaining in the House.

The meeting gives added fire to the fact that Symington, a Democrat, is likely to announce a challenge to Republican Gov. Jim Douglas soon. Rumors have been swirling for weeks and this only adds to the speculation.

Progressive party candidate Anthony Pollina has picked up the first labor endorsement in this year’s gubernatorial race.

The Ironworkers Local 7, which represents workers in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, offered to help Pollina with contributions and grassroots support.

“We are supporting him now and will support him down the line,” Damon Hall, a union member from Swanton said in a statement.

While not yet an official candidate for governor, former state Democratic Party chairman Peter Galbraith is beginning to act like one, touting his credentials and earning visibility in a statewide email to party supporters.

The author and former ambassador praised U.S. Sen. and former presidential candidate Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who is slated to headline the state Democratic Party’s David W. Curtis Leadership Awards dinner next Friday.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Madeleine Kunin, Vermont's first and only female governor, says she hopes that House Speaker Gaye Symington enters the race for governor.

"She'd be terrific," Kunin told PolitickerVT.com. "She has very strong credentials."

Rumors are swirling around the state house that the Speaker's new interest in pursuing the governorship is based on her lack of support from her own caucus. Due to an inability to take advantage of their superior numbers and a lack of progress or control over the message, house Democrats are frustrated.