Anthony Pollina of the Progressive Party is expected to announce his intention to seek the governorship early next year, PolitickerVT.com has learned.

“At this point it definitely looks like it,” Pollina said.

A Progressive Party official said that an announcement could come as soon as January. Pollina declined to specify an exact date.

An aide said that Pollina is also building a campaign apparatus. He has hired former Chittenden State Senator Janet Munt, a Burlington Democrat, to serve as campaign Treasurer. The aide said that the hiring of Munt was in part designed to send a signal that Pollina was serious about joining the race.

Pollina aides have set a goal of raising $100,000 by the end of January 2008. “We’re very encouraged by the fundraising results so far,” Pollina said.

Pollina also confirmed that he has been engaged in discussions with potential Democratic contenders. He said that he had personally spoken to Matt Dunne, John Campbell, and Peter Galbraith, as well as Democratic Party leaders. He also said that Progressive Party officials had spoken to Doug Racine. Pollina did not discuss the exact nature of those talks.

He declined to speculate if any of the Democrats would enter the race, but added: “Anyone who wants to take on a statewide race has a lot to consider.”

Pollina is a former policy advisor to then-Congressman Bernie Sanders. He ran a losing campaign for governor in 2000 against Democrat Howard Dean and Republican Ruth Dwyer. He now works as a community organizer and hosts a radio program on WDEV. He lives in Middlesex.

Pollina declined to say if he had a preferred candidate in the race for Lieutenant Governor. When asked about reports that he was open to a Dunne candidacy, he answered: “I would open to that.” Pollina added that he intended to talk to Dunne in the next several weeks.

Progressive Party leaders believe that Pollina appeals to rural voters and say that has can draw the votes from Democrats and Republicans. It is a model, they add, that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has used to success in the state.

“I believe I have the experience and name recognition to run a strong campaign,” Pollina said.