Earlier today Anthony Pollina, the Progressive Party candidate for governor, said that the Democratic State Committee refused to meet with him about "a combined effort" to defeat Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, but the Democratic Party tells PolitickerVT.com that's just not the case.

Pollina told reporters at a press conference this afternoon that he "made a special effort to reach out to friends in the Democratic Party believing grassroots Democrats shared our goal of electing a governor more in touch with the needs of Vermonters. Many were very supportive. But, the Democratic State Committee refused to meet and talk about a combined effort."

Vermont Democratic Party communications director Liz Saxe said afterword that Pollina's accusation was incorrect. She said Pollina had "requested an immediate meeting," and VDP chair Ian Carleton responded in a letter that "the Committee decided not to place you on an upcoming agenda, but rather to revisit the issue at our June meeting."

Saxe said, "As far as I know, we didn't have a response" from the Pollina campaign to Carleton's letter.

Pollina's Campaign Manager, Meg Brooks, told PolitickerVT.com that the VDP had originally denied the request to meet with Pollina.

Saxe did say Pollina's request to attend the June 7 state committee meeting was already on the agenda.

"They should let him know so he can show up," Brooks responded.

Former state House Speaker Gaye Symington jumped into the race in early May, and observers believe that she and Pollina will be competing against each other for votes, making Douglas's re-election effort somewhat easier.

EARLIER on PolitickerVT.com:

• Pollina ‘absolutely not’ running for Lt. Governor
• Pollina presses on in bid for governor