Updated story + video: Shumlin wins in recount, promises “positive, issue-oriented campaign”

Sen. Peter Shumlin has won the Democratic nomination for governor.

Unofficial recount results from the Washington County Superior Court show that Sen. Peter Shumlin beat out Sen. Doug Racine in the Democratic primary for governor by 203 votes, according to the Associated Press.

Shumlin was as gracious in victory as Racine was in defeat. The two campaigns held press conferences on Friday afternoon: Racine’s to concede; Shumlin to mark victory. The two men campaigned together over the last few weeks, and in his concession speech, Racine said he would continue to help Shumlin campaign if asked.

“I am humbled and honored to accept the Democratic nomination for the state of Vermont,” Shumlin said. He thanked his family, voters and his opponents in the primary.

“Only in Vermont could we see five extraordinary candidates run for governor of this state, all of whom would be great governors, launch a long campaign, have over 60 debates and never say a negative word about each other, and spell out a positive vision for Vermont,” Shumlin said. “We should be extraordinarily proud of the five candidates. I’m incredibly grateful to Deb, Matt, Doug and Susan for launching such a productive and thoughtful discussion about how we can get Vermont back to work.”

Shumlin said 75,000 voters “got excited about democracy” because the candidates didn’t attack one another.

“It wasn’t about trying to make the other one look bad,” Shumlin said. “It was about collectively spelling out a vision for this state. Let’s hear it for Vermont’s democracy.”

Shumlin, 54, who hails from Putney, celebrated his win with a small crowd of supporters and family at a press conference behind Burlington City Hall. As he walked toward a gaggle of reporters in front of a podium, he hugged members of his immediate family – his mother, daughter, brother and sister – and greeted a dozen or so core supporters. A few of the party notables in the crowd included Paul Tencher, who is leading the Dems’ coordinated campaign; Amy Shollenberger, Racine’s campaign manager; Ian
Carleton, former chair of the Vermont Democratic Party; and Rep. Floyd Nease, majority leader of the Vermont House.

Just three hours prior, Doug Racine, of Richmond, conceded the race to Shumlin at a press conference in front of the Chittenden County Superior Court, where the last votes for the recount were counted. “He is the winner, and there’s no question about it,” Racine said. The senator said he would campaign on Shumlin’s behalf if asked to do so. “I’ve offered, it’s up to him,” Racine said. “He has to figure out how best to run against Mr. Dubie. If he feels that I can help him out, I’ll do what I can.”

Racine said calling for the recount was a good decision. “There’s no question now about what the outcome is, and now we can move on.”

The recount started on Wednesday morning and was complete around noon on Friday. Originally, election officials thought it could take more than a week to finish.

Racine called for the recount after the Aug. 24 primary. He was the second place finisher out of five candidates. Shumlin originally won the election by 197 votes.

The primary bid for the Democratic nomination for governor was the most expensive gubernatorial primary in the state’s history. The five candidates — Racine, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, former Sen. Matt Dunne and Sen. Susan Bartlett – raised more than $1.88 million for their campaigns, based on the Aug. 17 campaign finance reports filed with the Vermont Secretary of State.

Shumlin, in his victory speech, said he would do “everything in his power to conduct a positive, issue-oriented campaign.” “The same kind of campaign that won us the nomination will win us the governorship,” Shumlin said. “Vermonters don’t want politics as usual. We’re sick of the bickering, sick of the fighting.”

Shumlin said he and Dubie have very different visions for the future of the state as it faces a $112 million deficit in fiscal year 2012.

“Brian Dubie is too conservative for Vermont socially, and he doesn’t have the experience and vision to put Vermont back to work and make the bold changes that are necessary to get that done,” Shumlin said. “I think the party is unified going into this election.”

As for the tone of the race, Shumlin said he and Dubie worked together in the Senate, and their collegial relationship will continue into the campaign. “We respect each other, and I think we’ll have a respectful conversation about the future of Vermont,” Shumlin said.

His Republican opponent in the General Election, Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie sent out a press release “welcoming” Shumlin to the race.

“I look forward to a spirited debate,” Dubie said in the release. “The differences between my opponent and me on the most important issues in this election – jobs and the economy – could not be greater. I look forward to letting Vermonters decide who they think best represents the interests of Vermont families, workers and job creators.”

The General Election campaign started before the recount was over.

Advertisements from outside organizations, for example, had already been released for each candidate. On Aug. 20, the Republican Governors Association launched a television ad that introduces Dubie’s priorities to voters. On Wednesday, Green Mountain Future, a 527 tax-exempt group that backs
progressive causes, produced an ad slamming Dubie for his support of Vermont Yankee, the state’s nuclear power plant in Vernon.

In addition, Dubie’s campaign has begun releasing daily press releases attacking Shumlin’s record.
On Tuesday, Dubie demanded that Shumlin return $8,000 from David Blittersdorf, founder of NRG systems, a wind generation company based in Hinesburg. Shumlin appointed Blittersdorf to the Clean Energy Development Fund Board last year.

Blittersdorf resigned shortly before the board gave his company $4.3 million in tax credits last month.

Alex MacLean, Shumlin’s campaign manager, said in an e-mail that the campaign would not return the campaign donations. “Blittersdorf is one of Vermont’s most innovative business leaders, and Peter is proud to have his support,” MacLean wrote.

At the press conference, Shumlin said: “On top of telling the world Vermont is a terrible place to do business, he then attacks the people who are creating jobs,” Shumlin said. “Why would I return the money from someone who has created jobs? Who has created just the kind of jobs Vermont so badly needs? Frankly, I’ll be encouraging (David) and Jan to make more.”

Dubie’s campaign also asked Shumlin to release his personal assets and liabilities to public purview. Dubie made information about his wealth available to reporters earlier this week. MacLean said Shumlin will release information about his net worth early next week.

Shumlin said he had never written down his assets and liabilities before, and he is working on information he’ll release next week.

ReadDubie’s 1040, plus assets and liabilities
Dubie has also challenged Shumlin to 12 debates. The first is scheduled for 8 a.m., Monday, Sept. 13 on the “Charlie, Ernie and Lisa Show,” WVMT-AM 620. Shumlin said he will be present at the debate. He said he wants to hold more debates.

At 12:30 on Monday, Shumlin will hold a press conference at Main Street Landing to lay out his plan for the election. He is also holding a victory party at Nectar’s at 8 p.m. Monday.

Download a podcast of Racine’s concession speech from Mark Johnson, WDEV