The Vermont Progressive Party is unsatisfied with the slate of Democratic candidates emerging for lieutenant governor and governor, but while party leaders promise to field strong candidates, few seem willing to leave their current political positions and commit to the race.
“So far I have not seen any candidate in the race that would generate much support from progressive voters,” said Kelly Mangan, director of the party. “If they were going to do that, they would have a lot of convincing to do.”
Mangan said she was aware of three people weighing a Progressive gubernatorial bid, including Anthony Pollina. Mangan would not name the other two candidates, citing requests they made for privacy in their deliberations.
Pollina told VTDigger that he has not ruled out a run, but said he is content with his current work as a Washington County senator.
“If the Progressives are going to run somebody, it has to be someone who has a good chance of winning,” Pollina said. “I don’t think we should just run a candidate to fill a slot.”
Pollina suggested that Jane Knodell, a Burlington city councilor whose name has come up as a possible candidate, could mount a strong bid. But Knodell said she has ruled out a run, and that the party never approached her about running.
“I do feel that a strong candidate has to have some real experience in state government, which at this time I don’t have,” Knodell said.
Pollina said he was also aware of concerns that Progressive candidates could act as a spoiler to a Democratic candidate, and that Lt. Gov. Phil Scott will likely run an effective, successful campaign.
“There’s always that worry about giving the race to the Republican,” Pollina said. “In this case I think [Scott] is quite strong and will have a lot of support across the political spectrum.”
Dean Corren, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2014, and state Sen. David Zuckerman, P/D-Chittenden, are the two potential Progressive candidates for lieutenant governor, Mangan said.
“I’m definitely considering it,” Corren said. “I was very encouraged by the last time running for statewide office.”
Zuckerman seems the most serious in his thinking around a run for lieutenant governor, but he is still in the midst of making a decision. He said he would most likely run as a Progressive Democrat.
Zuckerman said last week he was seriously considering a run. On Wednesday he told supporters in an email that he had received “positive feedback” from constituents, and asked for more input.
“I have many factors to consider, in particular how would running and serving as Lieutenant Governor impact my family and our farm business,” he wrote. “I would appreciate your feedback as to whether you think I would represent your views well, and whether you would be excited about my running.”
Mangan said that if Zuckerman chooses to run in the Democratic primary, he would most likely be the endorsed candidate of the Progressive Party and that they would not field a third party candidate for lieutenant governor.
“I can’t see a scenario where we are running two Progressives against each other,” Mangan said.
Rep. Christopher Pearson of Burlington said he would not run for statewide office in 2016. State Sen. Tim Ashe of Chittenden, another possible candidate for the Progressives, did not return calls Wednesday seeking comment.
Three Democratic candidates have announced gubernatorial bids: House Speaker Shap Smith, Google executive and former state senator Matt Dunne and former Transportation Secretary Sue Minter.
Mangan said none of the Democratic candidates have reached out to the Progressive Party seeking an endorsement.
Pearson said that the party was committed to making the 2016 campaign about issues like income inequality, environmental protection and health care reform. But he said because of rules around publicly funded elections, the party won’t begin campaigning until February 2016.
“Will it happen, I don’t know,” Pearson said. “Nobody really knows. It’s a long way off.”
