Douglas brushes aside Democrats' charges, focuses on legislative agenda

Republican Governor Jim Douglas’s office today brushed aside charges from Democratic Majority Leader John Campbell that Douglas had mishandled two recent marijuana busts.

“The governor’s focus is on the upcoming legislative session and making sure that progress trumps partisanship,” said Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs. “It is disappointing that Senator Campbell and others want to drag the session down into partisan mudslinging so soon.”

Democrats have accused Douglas of treating one drug offender, who works part-time as a judge, with greater leniency than another.

Campbell told the Times Argus over the weekend that Douglas’s action was "patently offensive in light of the facts of these two cases. The governor is really insulting the intelligence of Vermonters with this."

Gibbs said that the Governor would resist the Democrats’ barbs and would focus on pushing forward an agenda that would benefit Vermonters.

Campbell is widely reported to be considering running for governor. Douglas has said that he will run for re-election.

“Those that are candidates are going to be doing Vermonters a disservice by getting mired in politics,” said Gibbs.

With the legislative session set to begin in February, Gibbs said the governor was intent on pursuing an agenda focused on jobs, healthcare, and tax relief.