Zuckerman had taken the lead in the polls ahead of the four-way race. On the Republican side, some saw the race between Benning and Gregory Thayer a symbol of division within the party.
That’s according to the latest batch of fundraising reports filed Aug. 1 with the Secretary of State’s Office. The reports cover raising and spending for state candidates and political action committees for the month of July.
The poll also suggests Republican Gov. Phil Scott is cruising to reelection. If the election were held today, 60% of respondents said they would back Scott, while 16% said they would vote for Democrat Brenda Siegel.
With the Aug. 9 primary weeks away, the open race for lieutenant governor is crowded, particularly on the Democratic ticket. Four candidates are trying to convince voters that they have the experience to deserve the job.
New disclosures provide a timely glimpse at the financial picture for statewide and legislative candidates — as well as for the coalition of organizations working to secure passage of Vermont’s Reproductive Liberty Amendment.
While the four Democratic candidates found common ground on housing and affordability, the Republicans staked out territory in alignment with Gov. Phil Scott and further to the right.
Thursday was the deadline for Vermont political hopefuls to file their primary candidacy petitions with the Secretary of State’s Office.
The state will have at least four new leaders in top executive roles come January, at least one new member of Congress and dozens of new state legislators.
Things are quickly ending up on the cutting room floor as lawmakers hustle to adjourn.
The June 15 event will feature Republican and Democratic candidates for LG. It will take place at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland and will also be livestreamed on VTDigger’s website.
Toll, who raised $117,597, came out ahead of three opponents in the Democratic primary — former Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, nonprofit leader Patricia Preston and Rep. Charlie Kimbell, D-Woodstock — as well as Sen. Joe Benning, R-Caledonia, who is running in the Republican primary.
The 50-year-old Hinesburg farmer, who served two terms in Vermont’s No. 2 spot, says he can offer “some continuity and experience” during a “perilous moment in our democracy.”
“I think that this is a time where we have to be very thoughtful in the choices that we make,” said Toll, a Danville Democrat who spent 12 years in the House. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Legislators have tried for years to raise Vermont’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. We might see a sequel to that fight this year.
