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Robby Mook, a political operative who got his start in Green Mountain State politics has been named campaign manager of former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen’s (D-N.H.) U.S. Senate campaign, PolitickerNH.com reports.

Earlier this cycle, Mook delivered critical victories to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign as state director in Nevada, Ohio and Indiana.

Mook first entered the national political scene in 2004 as deputy field director for Howard Dean’s New Hampshire primary effort. He later joined the DNC’s field and training team before capping off the cycle in Wisconsin as John Kerry’s GOTV director.

Prior to his political whirlwind, Mook earned his battle stripes working for the Vermont Democratic Party.

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.

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.

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.

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.

House Speaker Gaye SymingtonWASHINGTON - House Speaker Gaye Symington was in town today, meeting with staff of the Democratic Governors' Association, including chairwoman emeritus Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

In addition to meeting Sebelius, Symington was introduced to a group of DGA supporters, according to DGA spokesman Brian Namey.

"We're excited about her candidacy, she's been running a smart campaign," Namey told PolitickerVT.com. "We're engaged and watching the race closely."

State Auditor Tom Salmon (D-Rockingham), a Navy reservist, reported for active duty training Sunday in Gulfport, Miss. Salmon told top state officials in a letter Friday that though he was deployed up, he would remain in office and continue his re-election campaign.

State Auditor Tom Salmon Deputy State Auditor George Thabault tells PolitickerVT.com that Salmon had foreseen a possible deployment since this November and had worked with staff to make preparations for his absence. At a June 10 meeting, Salmon told colleagues that he had received his instructions and flight itinerary.

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.

The Symington for Governor race car

Democratic House Speaker Gaye Symington, who is running for governor, will be at the Thunder Road Speedbowl in Quarry Hill tonight to watch her campaign's sponsored car in its first appearance. Car No. 90 will compete this season in the Tiger Sportsmen Division and will be driven by Barre native Tony Rossi.

Jill Krowinski: Politicker PhotoBURLINGTON - Since taking the reigns of Gaye Symington's gubernatorial campaign nearly a month ago, former Vermont Democratic Party executive director Jill Krowinski says she's jumped right in after "quite a wild ride," she told PolitickerVT.com last week. "It was basically a change that happened overnight."

For a time, Krowinski said, her new post carried an awkward familiarity that she summed up as "same desk, different job."