MONTPELIER -- Although he's not facing a Democratic opponent right now, Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie doesn't expect that his path to a fourth term will remain clear for much longer.

"I assume that I will have a strong, well-funded opponent," Dubie told PolitickerVT.com last week. "But competition makes you stronger and I'm looking forward to a spirited campaign."

There has been speculation over potential Democratic challengers for the state's No. 2 job but nobody has yet to make a formal announcement.

Montpelier physician Deb Richter was the Democrat's pick to challenge Dubie, but in late May, decided not to run due to personal considerations.

[img_assist|nid=1072|title=Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=124|height=163]Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Ian Carleton explained that the timing is not right for a new candidate. "The legislature adjourned just a few weeks ago, and believe it or not, people like to take a break from politics." Carleton is certain that the party will mount a challenge. "I fully expect we will have a candidate for lieutenant governor," he said. "There is no question about that, there has been a lot enthusiasm from those interested in running."

Jill Krowinski, campaign manager for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington told PolitickerVT.com that Carleton and her have discussed potential candidates, but declined to go into details. "We're going to have a candidate," she said.

Matt Dunne, who ran unsuccessfully against Dubie in 2004, said he believes that Vermont's intensely introverted political environment may dissuade some prospective Democrats from challenging Dubie this fall: "In Vermont, everything is local," he said.

"It's less likely that something at the top of the national ticket will have an effect down ticket," Dunne said. "Among Vermonters, there may be overwhelming discontent with the president, but that doesn't translate to discontent with the incumbent in Montpelier." With Green Mountain State voters facing competitive presidential and gubernatorial races this fall, Dunne said that Democrats will face the challenge of "making the office relevant."

Dunne is expecting a second child this summer and having recently been tapped by Google as a manager of U.S. community affairs, is ruling out a run this cycle.

Peter Galbraith, a former state party chairman, had considered a run for governor last January, but chose not to run after Symington, the state House speaker, entered the race. Galbraith quashed speculation over a lieutenant governor bid when he told PolitickerVT.com last month: "If I'm not a candidate for governor, I won't be running for lieutenant governor."

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin (D-Windham), who lost to Dubie in 2002, also told PolitickerVT.com that he would not run for lieutenant governor either.

Most recently, it looked as though Dubie would face a challenge from a familiar face: Progressive Party gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina. Pollina, who ran unsuccessfully against Dubie and Shumlin in 2002, reaffirmed his place in the gubernatorial race during a press conference on May 29.

Leading up to the announcement however, campaign aides fueled speculation that Pollina would drop down and run for lieutenant governor. Asked last week about the charade, Pollina told PolitickerVT.com that running for lieutenant governor was never an option, and that the press conference was simply an opportunity "to bring everyone together and address the speculation."

"I didn't think he was going to run for lieutenant governor, his decision to stay in the race didn't surprise me at all," Dubie said. "When someone donates money to your campaign, they're supporting you for a particular office. There's an emotional commitment there," he said, adding, "This isn't always about politics, politicians are people too."