(Host) The line up of candidates for statewide office for Vermont’s three major political parties is now set. The filing deadline of Monday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. revealed a few surprises for the Fall elections.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports.
(Kinzel) The filing deadline affects Vermont’s three major political parties – the Republicans, the Democrats and the Progressives. The Republicans and the Democrats are fielding candidates in all of the races for state office while the Progressives have candidates in half of these contests.
In the governor’s race, Republican Jim Douglas and Democrat Doug Racine have filed their petitions while the Progressives have a primary between Michael Badamo and Peter Diamondstone.
The contest for lieutenant governor finds Progressive Anthony Pollina, Democrat Peter Shumlin and Republican Brian Dubie seeking this vacant office.
Democratic Attorney General William Sorrell will face Republican Larry Drown and the winner of a Progressive primary between Cindy Hill and Boots Wardinski.
In the treasurer’s race, Republican hopeful John LaBarge will meet the winner of the Democratic primary between Jeb Spaulding and Ed Flanagan.
Democratic Auditor Elizabeth Ready is being challenged by Republican Bruce Hyde, and Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, who is a Democrat, will face Republican Michael Bertrand.
Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders doesn’t have to file until after the September 10 primary, however three Republicans – Bill Meub, Karen Kerin and Greg Parke – will meet in the GOP primary to run against Sanders. No Democrat filed for this race.
In addition to the statewide contests, legislative candidates also filed their petitions on Monday with their local town clerks. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz says there’s been a lot of interest in legislative races particularly where incumbents have retired:
(Markowitz) “That is something that we’ve definitely been seeing in Chittenden County, where there’s a couple of open Senate seats, down in Windham County, where there’s a couple of open Senate seats. There are a lot of new people who’ve come out and said, ‘Hey, I’d like to run for that office,’ and I think that’s a good sign.”
(Kinzel) All independent and minor party candidates for statewide and legislative offices are required to file their petitions in the ten days following the September primary.
For Vermont Public Radio, I’m Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.