SOUTH BURLINGTON – As Gov. Peter Shumlin scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference on his slim lead over Republican Scott Milne on Wednesday, Milne left his hotel vigil without speaking to the media.
Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, Milne’s daughter, Elise, came down to the lobby of the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center to tell reporters her father had left. Reporters had camped out there since 10 a.m. because Milne early Wednesday morning said he would hold a news conference. Later, Milne said he would not concede until all votes were counted.
But as results trickled in via the Secretary of State’s website Wednesday afternoon, and the Associated Press unofficially put the final tally in Shumlin’s favor, the governor scheduled a 3 p.m. news conference in City Hall Park in Burlington. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the AP had Shumlin in the lead by 2,095 votes (89,883-87,788), according to Vermont Public Radio.
When reached by phone, Milne explained his failure to meet the press. “I just wanted to make sure I think through what I think about things.” He said to expect a news conference in the next two days.
Along with the news of her father’s departure, Elise Milne delivered six pizzas and six salads to the reporters, but few were able to enjoy the food as they packed up to attend the Shumlin news conference.
Milne’s son Keith, who also worked on the campaign, left the hotel shortly thereafter. He was supposed to return to New York City on Wednesday to resume his job — his employer had let him work remotely during the campaign — but said that plan was delayed.
“It didn’t seem like the day to drive to New York,” Keith Milne said as he apologized for making reporters wait for a news conference that never happened.
Scott Milne has not clearly defined what he means by waiting until all the votes are counted. The Secretary of State’s office has not yet compiled full unofficial returns; the tally won’t be official until it’s approved by the Board of Canvassers; and Milne could also seek a recount.
Milne spoke with advisors, including Jim Douglas, on how to proceed. He did not rule out the possibility of a recount.
“We’re not taking any options off the table right now,” he said.
Milne pointed out that although Shumlin appears to have garnered slightly more votes than him, a majority of voters opted for change.
“I think it depends on how you define ‘won.’ 53 percent of voters said they want someone else,” he said.
Domino effect
His decision to wait stalled comments from other politicians. Shumlin’s campaign Wednesday morning said the governor would not comment until Milne did. Speaker of the House Shap Smith in turn said he would not speak until after Shumlin. Shumlin then called a news conference for 3 p.m. today in Burlington.
“We’ve taken a close look at the numbers,” Shumlin said in a statement. “While I will await final counts and further statements from Scott Milne, it is clear we are ahead and I’m confident that I’ve received the most votes. Serving as governor has been the greatest privilege of my life and I will be proud to continue leading this great state. I understand how close this election was and I want Vermonters to know that I will be working hard for each and every one of them.”
The Secretary of State’s office Wednesday said final results that include all precincts likely won’t be available until Saturday or Sunday.
The online results are unofficial, and town clerks are now focused on getting official results certified and mailed to Secretary of State Jim Condos’ office. That by law must be done in 48 hours.
Once Condos’ office receives the results by mail, election workers will enter them into the computer system and they will likely be available this weekend, according to Condos’ office.