DNC Chairman Dean lends support to home state

Vermont's last Democratic governor and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean knows a thing or two about elections.

He's held consecutive positions in the Green Mountain State's government, from state representative, to lieutenant governor, and then serving as the governor for five consecutive terms -- the second-longest serving governor in Vermont's history -- before attempting a presidential bid in 2004.

And now Dean is lending some of his know-how to this year's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, House Speaker Gaye Symington.

"He's definitely been supportive," said Symington's campaign manager Jill Krowinski. She also told PoltickerVT.com on Thursday that Dean had been helpful in giving strategic advice and acting as a soundboard for ideas.

"Howard Dean is committed to electing Democrats up and down the ballot, strongly supports Gaye Symington, and knows she will serve the people of Vermont well as their next Governor," DNC spokesman Blaine Rummel wrote in an email.

However, Dean's position as DNC chairman presents certain limitations when aiding campaigns, such as fundraising, and demands on his time between Barack Obama's presidential campaign and coordinating races nationwide make free moments few and far between.

But Symington is not the only Democratic candidate with help from the chairman. Liz Saxe, spokeswoman for the Vermont Democratic Party, said that Dean's "50-State Strategy" helps the entire party as a whole. Dean's strategy seeks to mobilize Democrats in every precinct in all counties, and build a grassroots effort to elect as many party members as possible.

Rummel also added that "Chairman Dean's 50 state strategy includes Vermont and our staffers there will continue to work with the state party to help accomplish exactly that."

"We now have three full-time professional party staffers," Saxe said, which allows the state party to accomplish more, and reach out to more Dems across the state.

And while officials in the Vermont Democratic Party aren't sure when Dean will return to his home state, Democrats there may feel his influence, and the influence of his "50 State Strategy" this November.