Racine relinquishes gavel as lieutenant governor

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(Host) In the Vermont Senate Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Doug Racine relinquished his gavel. Racine is stepping down after losing last November’s gubernatorial election.
VPR’s Steve Zind reports:

(Zind) Doug Racine’s quiet style prevailed to the end. After fulfilling his last official duties as the outgoing lieutenant governor, Racine declined an opportunity to bid a public farewell.

As the new Legislature went to work around him, Racine acknowledged it’s difficult to leave the chamber where he’s spent so much time over the past twenty years.

(Racine) “Yeah, it’s tough. There’s the disappointment of having lost an election. There’s the sadness of leaving this chamber, which I enjoyed. But it’s part of life and you move on.”

(Zind) Racine seems impatient with questions about his political future. He says right now he’s getting more involved in his family business and taking time for himself. But it’s clear he hopes to return to politics.

(Racine) “Governor Dean gave a farewell address because he’s leaving. I don’t think he intends to be back in this building. I don’t feel the same way. I’d like to be back in this if circumstances work out for me. So I’m not ready to say farewell. It’s more of, ‘I’ll see you a little later.'”

(Zind) Racine said he can’t predict what he’ll do in the future. He didn’t rule out another run for statewide office, but he said there might be other ways for him to be involved in public policy.

For Vermont Public Radio, I’m Steve Zind in Montpelier.

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