Gov. Phil Scott’s top opponent in the Republican primary, John Klar, has filed as an independent candidate for governor in the general election.
Klar confirmed Monday that he filed on Thursday, in order to “keep my options open,” adding that he wasn’t conceding defeat.
“If I did run as an independent, it would be particular to advance the message of the 35+ candidates we’ve put together,” he said of a loose coalition of Republican candidates that initially dubbed themselves “Agri-publicans.”
Oliver Olsen, a former independent House rep, greeted the news by tweeting: “Big cheers erupt from Progressive Party headquarters.”
Whatever votes Klar did receive in the general elections, if he runs, would take away from Scott, who may face off against David Zuckerman, the outgoing lieutenant governor and Progressive torch bearer running against Rebecca Holcombe in the Democratic primary.
— Colin Meyn
