With her candidacy just hours old, Vermont Republicans have already begun attacks on Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former House Speaker Gaye Symington.

Officially entering the gubernatorial race this morning, Symington touted "twelve years of a legislative record of which I am proud." By this afternoon, Vermont Republicans had released a statement labeling Symington's record of supporting higher taxes as "way outside the mainstream."

Defending three-term Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, state GOP Chairman Rob Roper said that his party "is proud of the Governor's record, and hopes that voters do pay attention to it."

"Speaker Symington looks like she will spend the next six months running away from her record," Roper said in a statement, "Obviously, it's impossible to lead others when you're running away from yourself."

PREVIOUSLY on PolitickerVT.com:

• Symington makes it official, enters race for governor
• Symington to announce gubernatorial bid on Monday
• Symington steps down as speaker; plans for gubernatorial bid unclear