Democrats quiet about top races

With Progressive Anthony Pollina all but officially declaring himself a candidate for governor, the Vermont Democratic Party is staying quiet about its prospects in the race.

Vermont Democratic Party executive director Jill Krowinski confirmed that four individuals – State Senate Majority Leader John Campbell, State Senator Doug Racine, former Senator Matt Dunne, and former Ambassador to Croatia Peter Galbraith – are all considering getting in the race, but said that none have committed.

Krowinski would not comment on Pollina. “We’re focused on the Democrats considering running,” she said, adding that the party wanted to avoid a three-way race with Pollina and Republican incumbent Jim Douglas.

But avoiding such a scenario may be difficult for the Democrats. Pollina has already bugun building a campaign infrastructure, and late last week he was quoted as saying: "I am going to be a candidate in the upcoming election."

Krowinski said that the party was working closely with the potential candidates, but that it was not imposing a deadline or timeline on candidates considering getting in.

“Our hope is to move forward,” she said.

Meanwhile, the party is in search of candidates for the lieutenant governor’s race. Krowinski confirmed that party officials have started conversations with potentially interested individuals. But she said that people wanted to wait until the picture in the governor’s race became clearer before committing.

Sitting Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie has privately said he is running for reelection.

While the Democrats lack clarity about who their top candidates will be this cycle, they do not lack clarity about their central intention.

“Our goal is to get Jim Douglas out of office,” Krowinski said.