According to a just-released, uncertified tabulation of statewide votes by election staff in the Office of the Secretary of State, Shumlin’s lead was just 197 votes more than second place finisher Racine. Election officials report Shumlin’s total was 18,276 compared to Racine’s 18,079.

Deb Markowitz finished in third with 17,580 — 696 behind Shumlin.

Matt Dunne’s vote total was 15,323 and Susan Bartlett had 3,759.

The total number of votes cast was 74,634.

The results of the state’s tabulation of vote counts by local officials confirmed the order of finish that news organizations reported election night based on information collected by phone, fax and email from clerks.

The question now is whether Racine will ask for a recount because the vote was so close. Candidates may request recounts when the difference is 2 percent or less.

Racine called a news conference at Richmond Town Center, where he has just requested a recount.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010100827014

Brattleboro Reformer
By CHRIS GAROFOLO /Reformer Staff
Posted: 08/20/2010 03:00:00 AM EDT

Friday August 20, 2010
BRATTLEBORO — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Shumlin is making one final sweep of the Green Mountain State in his pursuit of the party’s nomination next Tuesday.

Shumlin, the outgoing Senate president from Putney, expressed excitement about his campaign earlier this week to the Reformer, crediting Windham County voters for their support during his political tenure.  He is one of five Democrats vying for the party nomination on Aug. 24 to square off with Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie, Vermont’s current lieutenant governor.

“We are optimistic that we’re going to win the nomination and beat Brian Dubie in November,” he said. The county has not produced a governor in about 40 years, and Shumlin said he will “never forget who brought me to the dance” when he sits in the governor’s chair.

“I made a decision early on in this race that resulted in a lesson that I learned from the voters of Windham County, who have been so good to me for so many years, and it is — stand up for what you believe in and get tough things done and the voters will stand by you.”

According to Shumlin, he has the action plan to make the infrastructure changes within Vermont to create jobs and recover faster than the other 49 states while moving away from an oil-based economy.

“I think my vision for job creation is catching fire because I have a very specific plan to get Vermont back to work,” he said.
He lays out five points as part of his campaign:
– A single-payer health care plan where coverage follows the individual and is not a requirement of the employer.
– Broadband Internet access and cellular phone service to every last mile by 2013.
“I will do for the Internet what our last governor from Putney, George Aiken, did for electricity,” he said.
– Establish a block grant for early childhood education for parents of 3- and 4-year-olds so (predominately) women do not have to make the choice between a job and affordable, quality child care, he said.
– Generate a tax structure that grows wealth and jobs.
– Retrain Vermont’s work force to do the jobs of the 21st century.

Calling himself a social liberal but fiscal conservative, Shumlin said only two of his platform programs (health care and early childhood education) will cost money during a fiscal year that is expected to have a $120 million budget shortfall.
“With health care, our challenge as a state is that we’re spending $1 million a day on health care. That’s both unsustainable and unaffordable. It is also the fastest area of growth in the state’s budget, which is also unsustainable,” he said. Shumlin pointed to a study done 12 years ago that examined the fiscal impact of a single-payer system for Vermont, and said it would save the state an estimated $110 million ($250 million in today’s money) in administration savings alone.

“I’ve never known an insurance company to make Vermonters healthier. I will get it done, and it will cost less, not more,” he added.

The second fastest growing area of the state budget is corrections, Shumlin said, and he has found a way to save $40 million annually to provide community-based care for offenders and grant money for children’s early education.  In statistics he said were from appropriations at the state level, 69 percent of female and 45 percent of male offenders are nonviolent. Of those figures, 90 percent have difficulty reading and more than 90 percent have drug or alcohol addictions.

“Vermont has the distinction of locking up more nonviolent offenders per capita than any other state in the country,” he said. And putting millions toward early education will pay off tenfold in the future and break this destructive cycle, he added.  “I will be the governor with the courage to provide community-based drug and alcohol consulting, mental health consulting, adult education, life skills and housing through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and stop this madness of spending almost $40 million a year of taxpayer money incarcerating people who we’re not scared of, but mad at. I want to lock people up we’re scared of,” he said.

Democrats will choose between Shumlin and four other candidates in the statewide primary next Tuesday.
State Sens. Susan Bartlett of Hyde Park and Doug Racine of Richmond, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz of Montpelier and former state Sen. Matt Dunne of Hartland are also vying for the party’s nomination.  But Shumlin points to his track record of “making things happen” in the Statehouse, such as the Legislature approving same-sex marriages in 2009 and the vote not to allow Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant to continue operations once its license expires in March 2012.

“I get it done. I think people are moving to our campaign because, as the Burlington Free Press said in its endorsement — I stand above the other four in my ability to get things done and have the vision for where Vermont needs to go,” he said.

http://www.reformer.com/ci_15834361?IADID=Search-www.reformer.com-www.reformer.com

Former Senator Cheryl Rivers (D-Windsor)

Senator John Campbell (D-Windsor County)

By Daniel Barlow
Vermont Press Bureau – Published: July 20, 2010

MONTPELIER – More than 60 House members and 12 senators received perfect 100 percent rankings on the first legislative scorecard issued by the organization Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.

The progressive business organization, which has more than 1200 members, ranked lawmakers on seven key legislative votes, such as Vermont Yankee’s relicensing, the establishment of same-sex marriage, health care reform and the fix for the state’s unemployment fund.

The scoring on those votes indicated strong support for the business group’s agenda at the Statehouse, with 62 House members receiving 100 percent rankings, meaning those lawmakers voted with VBSR on all the main issues the group identified.

Sen. Ann Cummings, D-Washington, was one of the 12 senators to have a perfect record with VBSR. She said she doesn’t consider rankings such as these when casting her votes, but she appreciates the support afterwards.

“I’m proud to have 100 percent ranking,” Cummings said. “It’s always a bit of a surprise. I vote my conscience. But Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility have been a very positive and proactive organization at the Statehouse.”

Will Patten, the executive director of VBSR, said the organization will do these scorecards every two years now for each Legislative biennium. Starting the scorecard was in response to member businesses that wanted to see how local lawmakers were voting on business issues the company’s cared about, he said.

“I think there are a lot of couragous legislators who are pro-business, but don’t neccesarily get acknowledged for that,” he said. “It’s worth pointing out their longterm support for businesses in Vermont.”

VBSR’s ranking is a lot different than the scorecards put out by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the other major business group in the state.

That organizations 2009-2010 rankings have not yet been released, but in its 2007-2008 rankings, for example, the Chamber gave Cummings a 50 percent score. Lawmakers with high scorings for the Chamber tend to be Republican; high scores for VBSR tend to be Democrats or Progressives.

Rep. Pat McDonald, R-Berlin, had a VBSR scoring of 17 percent – one of the lowest in Washington County, where she lives.

McDonald, who is retiring from the Legislature this year, said votes at the Statehouse on key issues are not always as cut and dried as the scorecards make them out to be. For example, she said she voted against S.88 – the health care reform bill – after the House added in new provisions.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Vermont and the votes I took supported small businesses in the state,” she said.

The VBSR scorecard ranked several lawmakers seeking higher office this year.

Senate President Peter Shumlin of Windham County and Sen. Doug Racine of Chittenden County got 100 percent rankings and Sen. Susan Bartlett of Lamoille County got 83 percent. All three are Democratic candidates for governor in the Aug. 24 primary.

Sen. Ed Flanagan, D-Chittenden, a candidate for state auditor, scored 83 percent. Sen. Phil Scott, R-Washington, a candidate for lietenant governor, scored 33 percent. Rep. Steve Howard, D-Rutland, also a lieutenant governor candidate, scored 83 percent.

Rep. Chris Bray, D-New Haven, a candidate for secretary of state, had an 83 percent score.

Full Article: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20100720/NEWS02/707209909/1003/NEWS02

Daniel.Barlow@timesargus.com

“Peter has the leadership skills, business experience and vision to get our economy moving again and put Vermonters back to work,” said Senator John Campbell.  “Time and time again I have watched Peter take on tough issues and bring people together to win. Whether it is taking on the prescription drug companies to lower prices for Vermonters or challenging Entergy Louisiana to tell the truth about our aging nuclear power plant, Peter takes on the tough battles with tenacity.”

In addition to Senator Campbell, Representative Mark Mitchell and former legislators, Cheryl Rivers and Ann Seibert stood in support of Peter.

“Peter is a real leader,” said former Senator Cheryl Rivers.  “There is no one in politics that I would rather go into a difficult situation with than Peter.  In these times, we need a strong leader who is not afraid to take bold action and that is Peter Shumlin.”

“Yes, Peter Shumlin gets tough things done,” said Representative Mark Mitchell.  “But I am also supporting Peter because he has compassion, a quality that I believe is critical in a leader.”

The leaders all spoke of Peter’s ability to not only get Vermonters back to work but to be the candidate who can beat Brian Dubie in November.

“All of the candidates in the Democratic Primary for Governor are good people,” said former legislator Ann Seibert.  “But Peter Shumlin is the only one with the skills, experience and vision to win in November.”

The professionals spoke of how they see, firsthand, the dysfunction of our current health care system and   how desperately we need change.  The group of Doctors and Nurses stated clearly that Peter Shumlin is the candidate best suited to address the system’s problems.

“We are appalled at the excessive profits earned by the insurance companies and the drug makers, said Dr. Deb Richter.  “Peter Shumlin is the candidate for Governor who is best suited to address these problems.  He is the only candidate who has shown unwavering support for a publicly financed universal health care system in Vermont.”

“While other candidates have spoken of the need for change, Peter Shumlin has gone further,” said Dr. Marvin Malek.  “He has repeatedly pledged himself to the task of enacting a state single payer system.”

The health care professionals spoke of their support for Peter due to his record of getting tough things done.

“Peter Shumlin has proven that he is not afraid of taking political risks in the interests of furthering the public good,” said Dr. Sue Deppe.  “He is the person we need at the top of the executive branch if we are to enact meaningful health care reform.”

The following health care professionals endorsed Peter:

Deborah Richter, MD (family physician)

Jack Mayer, MD  (pediatrician)

Bill Eichner, MD (ophthalmologist)

Bruce Talmadge, MD (retired internist)

Peggy Carey, MD (family Physician)

Alice Silverman, MD (psychiatrist)

Marvin Malek, MD (internist)

Sue Deppe, MD (psychiatrist)

Adam Sorscher, MD (family physician)

Joseph Lasek, MD (psychiatrist)

Dorothy Malone Rising, NP

Patricia Towle, NP

Augusta Wilson, RN

Maggie Newton, MD  retired internist)

Paul Bertocci, MD (family physician)

Richard Norman, MD (family physician)

Laura Norris, MD  (family physician)

Jim Greenleaf, APRN

Ellen Chrisman, NP

Alma Mueller, NP

Suzie Lynn, LPN

John Gundy, MD  (Pediatrician)

Richard Kast, MD (psychiatrist)

“No candidate has done more to advance marriage equality than Peter Shumlin.  Without his efforts, same-sex couples would not be able to marry in Vermont today.”

The announcement, made in an email to VFMAC supporters, describes Peter’s vital role in bringing the bill to allow same-sex couples to legally marry to a vote in 2009, as well as his creation of a commission in 2007 to hold public hearings about the issue, as key factors in the bill’s ultimate passage.  Robinson noted that both of these actions required considerable political courage, and concluded  “Senator Shumlin stuck his neck out for us in a big way, and he’s earned our support.”

Peter made a promise to himself after watching families getting their rights taken away from them during the passage of proposition 8 that he would do everything in his power to do the right thing and deliver equal rights to all Vermont families.  It wasn’t easy but Peter has established a record of getting tough things done and this was no exception.  Working with thousands of Vermonters, Peter led the effort to make Vermont the first state in the nation to pass marriage equality without a court order.

NEAL P. GOSWAMI
Bennington Banner

Wednesday July 7, 2010

BENNINGTON — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Peter Shumlin snagged endorsements Wednesday from Bennington County Sens. Dick Sears and Robert Hartwell.

Shumlin,the president pro tem in the Vermont Senate, faces four others — Secretary of State Deborah Markowitz, Sens.Susan Bartlett and Doug Racine, and former Sen. Matt Dunne — in a primary Aug. 24. Endorsements from Democrats in the Legislature had been slow to arrive for the five candidates, but have picked up with the primary date fast approaching.

Sears, the county’s senior senator and chairman of the Senate JudiciaryCommittee,and Hartwell, who is seeking a third term in November, were unequivocal in their support for Shumlin in a brief news conference at theBennington Town Office.

Sears said all five Democrats in the race to succeed retiring Republican Gov. James Douglas were “terrific candidates.”

But Shumlin stands out for several reasons, Sears said, most importantly is his ability to win.

“I believe Peter can win in November, and I think that’s tremendously important as a Democrat,” said Sears, who has served with Shumlin in the Senate for 14 years.

Shumlin is the “best candidate of the five to lead Vermont out of our recession-induced budget gap,” according to Sears. “That’s a tremendous problem that we’re facing in the state and throughout the nation,” he said. “Peter understands that we can’t do that by either
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… raising taxes or cutting services. He realizes we need to that through economic development.”

Hartwell said Shumlin was an effective “manager as well as a legislator.” The Putney Democrat has guided fellow lawmakers through several challenges, including an override of a vetoed state budget and passing same-sex marriage, Hartwell said.

“In my four years with Peter he’s been confronted on a number of occasions with tough management decisions and guiding the Legislature through tough issues,” Hartwell said.

He said he, too, was swayed because “Peter can win this in the fall.”

Sears also said Shumlin has “the temperament to lead.” While he can be “overly aggressive” on issues, Sears said he has watched (Shumlin) grow in the position of president pro tem.” He demonstrated after the tragic killing and sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in 2008 the ability to approach hot-button issues in an even-keeled way, Sears said.

“There was all kinds of calls for this, for that, but at the time Peter was the leader, in my view. He said, ‘No, we’re not going to jump to special sessions. We’re not going to suggest that Vermont isn’t a safe state. We remain as one of the safest states in the union,’” Sears said. “Peter … set in motion, I think, one of the best examples of leadership this state has ever seen.”

Bennington County would benefit from having a governor from Southern Vermont, Sears said.

“Peter understands southern Vermont. It’s interesting. I have candidates call me and say, ‘What are the issues down here,’” Sears said. “He understands that and he understands what it’s like to be forgotten.”

Shumlin pledged to bring more attention to the southern part of the state and said he hoped to “make Bennington County Sears, Hartwell and Shumlin county.”

“Having been born and raised in Southern Vermont, I will never forget my roots or where I come from. I am going to be the governor that creates jobs equally across the state, not just in our central population base,” Shumlin said.

“Bennington desperately needs jobs. We need to grow the opportunities in composites and other areas where we’ve been extraordinarily innovative.”

Contact Neal P. Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/ci_15462118