Deb Richter

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.

Upon learning that Deb Richter wants to see him run for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Richard McCormack (D-Bethel) was flattered.

"I think professionally and financially I'm not in a position to launch a statewide campaign right now," McCormack told PolitickerVTcom.

Deb Richter is busy. When PolitickerVT.com tried to schedule an interview with the one-time would-be lieutenant governor candidate, she wrote in an email that her 7:30 a.m. morning commute was the best way to pin her down. "I doubt I will get a break during my ‘lunch hour,'" Richter wrote.

Having made her decision not to run for lieutenant governor earlier this week, the Cambridge physician says she is relieved not having to divide her time between her patients and a "horrendous schedule of campaigning."