The state treasurer’s race between Beth Pearce, the Democrat who was appointed to the office, and Wendy Wilton, the Republican challenger, has turned into the hottest race of the 2012 election season.
Pearce, who has never run for office, is up against Wilton, a former state senator from Rutland, who is an adept politician. The two have gone head to head over the state’s $1.2 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, funding for health care programs for the state’s retired teachers and the state’s bond rating and what it really means for the state’s economy.
They have also fought over tangential issues that have nothing to do with the duties of the office. Wilton has gone after Pearce for overtime expenditures in the retirement division related to an IT project that has gone on long beyond its original deadline and the Democrat’s decision to rent a home instead of purchasing real property.
Wilton also falsely accused Pearce of earning a D- for financial transparency.
In this side-by-side comparison, VTDigger takes a look at the two candidates’ stances on the key issues the office of the treasurer addresses, namely state bond activity and pensions. The comparison is derived from interviews with the candidates.
Read the side-by-side comparison of the treasurer’s race.
VTDigger has also taken a look at the other competitive statewide races this election season.
In the campaign for Vermont Attorney General, see how Sorrell and McMullen compare on the issues. Read a profile of Ed Stanak that outlines his views on Vermont Yankee, campaign finance and plans to investigate Wall Street banks doing business in Vermont.
Check out the side-by-side comparison of gubernatorial candidates Peter Shumlin and Randy Brock and see how they differ on jobs and the economy, renewable energy, tax policy, the state budget, health care, energy and the environment.
Read bios of the lieutenant governor candidates Cassandra Gekas, a Progressive/Democrat and Phil Scott, the incumbent Republican, size up their political views on the value of public education, the economy, the state’s prison system, energy and health care.
Find out where the two state auditor candidates, Vince Illuzzi, a Republican, and Doug Hoffer, who is representing the Democratic and Progressive parties, stand on the role of the state auditor, embezzlement scandals, interacting with the Legislature, first audits and tax increment finance districts.
