Symington makes it official, enters race for governor

Ending weeks of speculation, former House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) announced her candidacy for governor this morning.

Symington becomes the first Democratic candidate to enter the gubernatorial field that currently features Progressive Party candidate Anthony Pollina and the incumbent, three-term Republican Gov. Jim Douglas.

"I intend for this campaign to be based on the issues facing our state and I pledge to talk with you about them honestly. I have twelve years of a legislative record of which I am proud. You are likely to hear all sorts of reference to that record. I ask that in the coming months you see beyond sound bites, slogans and political charges that divert us from a substantive debate about Vermont's future," Symington said in front of 200 people on the steps of the Statehouse in Montpelier.

"We are extremely pleased that Speaker Symington has entered the race for Governor. She is an outstanding candidate with the know-how and vision to get Vermont moving forward, rather than being stuck in neutral," Brian Names, spokesman for the Democratic Governors Association told PolitickerVT.com.

Former Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Peter Galbraith has been considering a run for the state's top job since January, but has yet to officially launch a campaign. Observers suggest that with Symington's announcement, Galbraith's window to enter is narrowing.

Politicker.com's Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report.