(Host) The Progressive Party has chosen not to run a candidate for Governor this year and about a third of its legislative candidates are also running as Democrats.
Despite the situation, Progressive leaders say their Party is maintaining its own identity and will continue to be an important force in Vermont politics in the future.
VPR’s Bob Kinzel reports.
(Kinzel) Over the years there’s been an uneasy relationship between the Progressives and the Democrats in Vermont.
The Democrats say Progressive Anthony Pollina was a spoiler candidate in the 2002 race for Lt. Governor and they say that’s the reason that Republican Brian Dubie was able to win with only 41 percent of the vote.
Then in 2008, Pollina ran for Governor and actually received more votes than Democrat Gaye Symington.
Martha Abbott is the chair of the Progressive Party. She won her party’s nomination for Governor last week but she’s decided not to stay on the ballot. She’s concerned that the election of GOP candidate Brian Dubie will be an extension of the policies of the Douglas Administration.
(Abbott) "It hasn’t been good for the state…so in this particular election with these particular circumstances we decided we do not want to be a factor."
(Kinzel) Abbott says a decision by a number of Progressive legislative candidates to also run as Democrats doesn’t dilute the identity of the Party.
(Abbott) "I think our brand is very strong at this point… we’re not really forming an alliance, we’re not endorsing whoever the Democrats choose officially. What we are doing is being very selective and strategic about the races we choose to run in."
(Kinzel) The Party’s candidate for Lt. Governor, Marjorie Power, had indicated before the Primary that she might also withdraw – but Power has changed her mind in order to make campaign finance reform a top issue:
(Power) "I’m going to stay in because perhaps somebody needs to talk about that aspect of our campaigns."
(Kinzel) Are the Progressives in danger of losing their identity? St. Michael’s College political science professor Bill Grover says the answer is no and he points to their recent work on health care reform and energy issues at the Statehouse:
(Grover) "The point of the party has always been to change the conversation politically in the state of Vermont, to get that conversation to focus on issues that affect ordinary working Vermonters very, very directly. And I think that’s been the case on a whole range of policy issues where Progressives have made a real difference…. So I think that dance they do with the Democrats will continue as long as there’s party differences."
(Kinzel) The Progressives have several other statewide candidates. Charlotte Dennett won the Party’s primary for Attorney General and Don Schramm won the Treasurer’s contest.
In addition, Democratic Auditor candidate Doug Hoffer has been nominated by the Progressives to also be on their ballot in November.
For VPR News, I’m Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.