Governor

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.

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.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington: Symington for GovernorHouse Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) criticized Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury) and his Lake Champlain environmental policy, Clean and Clear, this afternoon after the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) issued a report scoring the wellbeing of the lake and the progress taken to reverse the effects of pollutants.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate assailed the legislation because of its lack of benchmarks to track progress, despite its $85 million price tag. Symington noted that this year, she tried to pass a bill that would introduce benchmarks into the Clean and Clear program.

The House Speaker said, "As Governor, I am not going to spend $85 million on a program without knowing what we're getting for the money."

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kan.): Getty Images PhotoWASHINGTON – Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the chairwoman emeritus of the Democratic Governors Association, met briefly with Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) on Tuesday, as Symington, a Democratic candidate for the Green Mountain State’s governorship, consulted with staff of the DGA about her bid.

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.

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.

State Auditor Tom SalmonVermont Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper's remarks regarding the military deployment of State Auditor Tom Salmon to the Middle East have sparked wide controversy among politicians across the state.

An Associated Press article cited the state GOP leader as saying that "the voters in Vermont should have the option of having someone in the office who will be on the job on day one. Salmon won't even be here when the Legislature gets back."

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.