Calling All Candidates: One Day Left to File
Take out the trash? Check.
Pick up little Jimmy from school? Check.
File signatures with the Secretary of State's office? Oh, shit!
Yep, it's that time of the year. Those hoping to run for state office this November must turn in their signatures (500 for statewide seats, 100 for the Vermont Senate, 50 for the House) by 5 p.m. Thursday. With less than 24 hours to go, plenty of incumbents and challengers have filed for candidacy — but there remain a few notable holes.
Here's a (very partial) rundown of who's not running — yet:
- Lieutenant Governor: Granted, it's a part-time job without much in the way of responsibilities, but surely somebody's interested! So far, though, not even incumbent Phil Scott, a Republican, has filed.
- Treasurer: Beth Pearce, a Democrat who was appointed to the job a year and a half ago, has said she's running — as has Progressive Don Schramm. But so far, only Wendy Wilton, the Republican city treasurer of Rutland has filed.
- Auditor: Democrat and Progressive Doug Hoffer says he's running. Sen. Vince Illuzzi (R-Essex/Orleans) finally settled on the race. But neither has submitted a petition.
- Attorney General: Democrats Bill Sorrell, the incumbent, and Chittenden County State's Attorney T.J. Donovan have filed. But businessman Jack McMullen, a Republican who has been eyeing the race, has yet to formally plunge in.
- U.S. House: Republican Mark Donka is in; independent James "Sam" Desrochers is in; VoteKISS party (whatever that is!) member Andre LaFramboise is in. But incumbent Democrat Peter Welch is nowhere to be found.
- Chittenden County State Senate: Of the five incumbents expected to run for reelection to the state's most populous state Senate district (Sen. Hinda Miller, a Democrat, has announced she's not running), only three have filed: Philip Baruth, Sally Fox and Ginny Lyons — all Democrats. Who's missing? Tim Ashe, a Democrat and Progressive, and Republican Diane Snelling. Newcomers on the ballot thus far include Democrats Ed Adrian, Debbie Ingram and Loyal Ploof; Republican and Tea Partier Shelley Palmer; Progressive Richard "Terry" Jeroloman; and independents Bob Kiss and Robert Letovsky.
If you're hoping to pigeon-hole an elected official tomorrow, it shouldn't be hard to find one. Just hang out next to the Secretary of State's office or a nearby copy shop. Who knows? Maybe they'll even ask you for your signature.
