Vermont: John Campbell

With the State of the State speech behind him and Progressive Anthony Pollina now certain to be running for his seat in November, Governor Jim Douglas’s election-year strategy is coming into view: focusing on achieving his legislative agenda.

“The best political strategy is to advance good public policy,” Douglas spokesperson Jason Gibbs said. Gibbs said Douglas believes Vermont “faces serious challenges,” and was intent on pushing forward his plans for health care, economic development, and property and income tax relief.

As we reported earlier this week, Democratic Senate Majority Leader John Campbell will be holding a press conference this afternoon in Montpelier.

An aide to Senate Pro Tem President Peter Shumlin tells us that Campbell will be talking about the “business climate in Vermont” – and will not be making a gubernatorial announcement.

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.

Republican Governor Jim Douglas’s office today brushed aside charges from Democratic Majority Leader John Campbell that Douglas had mishandled two recent marijuana busts.

“The governor’s focus is on the upcoming legislative session and making sure that progress trumps partisanship,” said Douglas spokesman Jason Gibbs. “It is disappointing that Senator Campbell and others want to drag the session down into partisan mudslinging so soon.”