Media Note: In Endorsements, Newspapers Go For Incumbents

Newspaper editorial boards throughout Vermont appear to be lining up behind incumbents ahead of next Tuesday's statewide elections.

Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin has been endorsed by six newspapers thus far, including the Burlington Free Press and the more conservative St. Albans Messenger. His Republican opponent, Randy Brock, has garnered endorsements from two papers: the conservative Caledonian Record and the Manchester Journal.

Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott has so far shut out Progressive/Democrat Cassandra Gekas, while fellow Republican Vince Illuzzi has shut out Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer in their race for state auditor. Though neither candidate for auditor is an incumbent, most of the seven papers endorsing Illuzzi treated him as one, given his 32 years in the senate.

In the hotly contested race for state treasurer, appointed incumbent Democrat Beth Pearce has drawn the support of seven papers, including the Freeps, the Messenger and opponent Wendy Wilton's hometown paper, the Rutland Herald. Like Brock, Wilton was endorsed by the Caledonian Record and the Manchester Journal.

During the Democratic primary for attorney general, incumbent Bill Sorrell lost the endorsement war to challenger T.J. Donovan. But in the general election, he's won five endorsements — including one from the Freeps, which previously back Donovan.

A few endorsements are still pending. The Valley News plans to issue an endorsement on Saturday, while the Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times Argus — both of which are owned by the same family and run the same endorsements — plan to weigh in on the gubernatorial and lite gov races in the coming days. The Brattleboro Reformer, meanwhile, hasn't decided yet whether to endorse, and the Newport Daily Express does not endorse.

Neither do we!

Here's a list of the endorsements we've seen. Are we missing any? Let us know!

Governor

Sen. Randy Brock (R): Manchester Journal, Caledonian Record (Separately, the Record also editorialized against Shumlin)

Gov. Peter Shumlin (D): Burlington Free Press, St. Albans Messenger, Addison Independent, Bennington Banner, Stowe Reporter, Waterbury Record

Lieutenant Governor

Casandra Gekas (P/D):

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott (R): Burlington Free Press, Addison Independent, Manchester Journal, Barton Chronicle

Treasurer

State Treasurer Beth Pearce (D): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, St. Albans Messenger, Addison Independent, Bennington Banner, Barton Chronicle

Don Schramm (P):

Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton (R): Manchester Journal, Caledonian Record