(Host) Vermont Democrats accuse Governor Jim Douglas of waging a negative personal campaign against Gaye Symington.
State Democratic Party Chairman Ian Carleton says a new television ad by the Douglas campaign should be taken off the air.
(Carleton) “Jim Douglas had a choice of how he wanted to run his race for governor. He could have decided to run it on the issues and put his record as governor – failed though it is – in front of the state of Vermont. But instead of doing that he’s decided to go after his opponent with negative personal ads that have absolutely nothing to do with the issues that really should be driving this governor’s race.”
(Host) The Douglas ad criticizes Symington for not releasing her full personal tax returns.
Symington disclosed her own personal taxes and holdings, but withheld information about her husband’s financial status.
Symington filed a joint return with her husband, former Ben and Jerry’s executive Chuck Lacy.
Douglas campaign manager Dennise Casey says personal finances give voters an important sense of how a candidate would govern.
(Casey) “Vermonters deserve to know exactly what Ms. Symington’s complete financial picture looks like so that they can assess any potential conflicts of interest that may affect decisions that she would make as governor. And any potential decisions having to do with energy, health care, you name it. They deserve to know her complete financial picture looks like.”
(Host) The Symington campaign says she’s the candidate and her husband’s finances have no place in the campaign.