Campaign Roundup: Candidates Hit The Road

Print More
MP3

(Host) Candidates in this month’s primary election are working hard to capture voters’ attention.

One of their tried-and-true techniques is to tour the state on a theme, essentially giving the same speech in different towns.

VPR’s Ross Sneyd has this campaign roundup.

(Sneyd) In the Republican lieutenant governor’s race, state Sen. Phil Scott has done his "race to victory" tour. It fits in with his other part-time job as a race-car driver.

Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie did his "jobs tour."

These are a great way for candidates to meet voters and get in local news reports.

This week, it’s how Democrat Matt Dunne is introducing his economic development package.

(Dunne) "This is the first of these presentations. We will be making them across the state. I believe we’re in Windsor County, Rutland County, Windham County and Washington County over the next four days reaching out to business leaders."

(Sneyd) That was in Winooski, where Dunne laid out his vision in an hour-long PowerPoint presentation with a dozen or so business leaders.

Dunne’s proposal is built around four themes. He wants to improve the state’s computer, cell phone and transportation systems. As governor, he’d invest in education from preschool through college. He’d develop tax incentives and micro-loan programs so businesses have access to capital. And he says he’d help businesses by making state government more responsive.

Dunne describes his plan as a route out of the recession.

(Dunne) "Our economy is not in good shape. We see young people that are fleeing the state and we have small business start-ups on a steady decline. We have all the basic elements in our place in order to succeed."

(Sneyd) What’s missing, Dunne says, is new leadership.

That’s a message all of the candidates are delivering.

Senator Peter Shumlin, another of the five Democrats running for governor, will hold an event this week to describe his own marketing and job creation plans.

And Senator Doug Racine has a grassroots schedule this week. Among the events he plans is a meeting with retired state employees.

For VPR News, I’m Ross Sneyd.

(Host outro) VPR’s primary election debates start today (Tuesday) at noon on Vermont Edition, with the two Republican candidates for secretary of state. If you have questions for candidates in any of the major party primaries, you can record it at 1-800-258-1619, or email us at vermontedition@vpr.net.

Comments are closed.