VT: Racine will not run for governor

[goobergunch]

November 25, 2003

By DAVID MACE Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER - Former lieutenant governor and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Douglas Racine won't seek the Democratic Party's nomination for governor in the 2004 campaign, ending the prospect of a rematch against Republican Gov. James Douglas, who narrowly defeated him.

"I have made a decision not to be a candidate for governor next year," Racine said, citing a combination of "personal and political" considerations. "Timing is everything in politics. My timing last year was pretty good, but not quite good enough. The '04 race is not the right opportunity for me."

The move trims the field of potential contenders to Burlington mayor and longtime Progressive Peter Clavelle and Peter Shumlin, the former Senate president pro tem from Windham County, who lost in the three-way race for lieutenant governor in 2002.The fact that some in the Democratic Party opposed the move and that there could be a three-way primary were among the considerations that went into what Racine acknowledged was a "difficult" decision.

"I think it was the 'rerun' aspect of it that ultimately was the determining factor," he said. "I think with other probable candidates out there, Vermonters will have a fresh race with some different faces and different ideas, and they'll be better served by that."

more...http://www.rutlandherald.com/News/Story/75108.html

:(

[CMT]

1. if Dean is the 2004 democratic nominee

his coattails might help the Democrats pick up this seat. I think Clavelle might have the best shot.

[mndemocrat_29]

2. While I was hoping Bernie Sanders would run for governor

Any Democrat will have a good shot in 2004 if Dean is the nominee. Goober-is it true that no incumbent governor has ever lost in Vermont?

[goobergunch]

3. I don't know (n/t)

[NewJerseyDem]

4. Not true

F. Ray Keyser, Jr., a Democrat, was defeated for reelection in 1962. I believe there were others before that. However, for the past 40 years, the governor has always served for at least two years.