Shap Smith’s campaign manager started Monday, and the lieutenant governor candidate admitted he’s a bit behind the financial 8-ball.
After briefly running for governor before dropping out, the Democratic House speaker is back in a statewide race.
Smith is gearing up for a hard three-way primary fight and acknowledges he’s jumping in late in the game.
Sen. David Zuckerman, D/P-Chittenden, and Rep. Kesha Ram, D-Burlington, announced their bids in the fall and have spent the past months touring the state and fundraising. They have each brought in tens of thousands of dollars from hundreds of donors, according to March financial reports.
“It’s clear that both of my opponents have gotten out there early and often,” Smith said. “But we are going to put together a great field team, and I’m going to work my butt off for the next 10 weeks to explain why I’ll be a good lieutenant governor.”
Smith’s team includes Erika Wolffing, who started as campaign manager Monday. Wolffing worked as a top aide to outgoing Senate President John Campbell for two years. She also served as the deputy commissioner for the Vermont Department of Labor.
Wolffing said the campaign has hired a field director but declined to give a name until the person officially leaves his or her current post. She said the campaign hopes to bring on more staff if fundraising allows, adding that “we will focus on volunteer recruitment, and if we can hire any new staff we definitely will.”
Fundraising is a priority for Smith’s campaign, and Wolffing will be leading those efforts. She served as finance director during two of Gov. Peter Shumlin’s statewide campaigns.
Although an official campaign kickoff will happen soon, the longtime House speaker introduced his campaign to Vermont Democrats at their state convention in Barre on Sunday. He pledged to focus on affordable child care, downtown revitalization, educational reforms and better jobs.
In his Sunday speech, Smith became emotional as he described the plight of a close friend of one of his young daughters. He said the girl talked about a household filled with economic uncertainty.
“She said, ‘I’m not sure I want to go home,’” Smith recalled.
“I remember driving her home, and driving into the parking lot, and I struggled letting her go,” he continued. “I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, and I wanted to take her back home with me. I wanted her to have a stable environment.”
“That little girl is why I’m running for lieutenant governor,” Smith said. “I want to make this a better place for the next generation, and I believe that all of you do too.”
