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Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington's campaign revolves around an automobile motif. Her campaign likes to argue that Vermont is "stuck in neutral" and needs to "get in gear." She's sponsored a "Symington for Governor" racecar at Thunder Road and energy reform and improving the state's transportation infrastructure are on the list of her top issues.

And the car theme makes sense. The woman has drive.

Who will park here? The House Speaker's reserved parking space at the State House in Montpelier: Politicker PhotoWith House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) relinquishing her position in Vermont's Legislature to attempt to unseat Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), the state House's top spot is up for grabs for the first time in five years when Symington was unanimously elected. While no state representatives have publicly stated if they will make a bid to wield the gavel next year, some are considering the prospect.

In compiling this list, PolitickerVT.com spoke to political experts and leaders from both sides of the aisle to see who they thought were considering running for the House Speaker's position. Some names were mentioned more than others: Majority Leader Carolyn Partridge, Assistant Majority Leader Floyd Nease, and state Reps. Mark Larson, Shap Smith, and John Rodgers.

Former state Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) officially announced his bid to represent Franklin County in the state Senate. 

Brock issued the statement this afternoon - a few hours after PolitickerVT.com received information that the former auditor would pursue the state Senatorial seat. He emphasized his past leadership skills and his determination to create jobs for Vermonters, fix energy policy, make housing affordable, reform property taxes and find ways to keep health care costs manageable.   

Former State Auditor Randy Brock (R-Swanton) has decided to run for the Vermont state Senate to represent Franklin County, according to a Republican source.

Brock, who had initially planned to retake the auditor’s office from State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham) this fall, backed away from the challenge after Salmon, a U.S. Navy reservist, was deployed on active duty last week.

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.

Six hours into her candidacy to represent her city in the state legislature; Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper says she is optimistic about her bid. "I feel terrific," Hooper told PolitickerVT.com.

She estimates that 50 supporters, friends and family members turned out to Pocket Park on Saturday afternoon to watch her official announcement.

Hooper, a Democrat, is setting her sights on one of the city's two state representative seats, which are currently held by fellow Democrats, state Reps. Warren Kitzmiller and Jon Anderson.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington impressed staff of the Democratic Governors Association, potential fundraisers, and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius when the House Speaker travelled to Washington, D.C. this week. But not every candidate made it through the week on top. See who won and who lost on this week's Winners & Losers.

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.

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.