by Guy Page
Howard Dean announced this morning at a 9:30 AM press conference in Waterbury, “I am not a candidate for the office of governor.” The former governor and Democratic National Committee chairman said he could get within 10 points of beating Phil Scott for governor based on his record, but that winning would require a negative, ‘scorched earth’ campaign.
Dean chose not to seek re-election as governor in 2002. He began serving in 1991 upon the death of Gov. Richard Snelling.
Dean noted that his polling shows that the number one issue to Vermonters is taxation, with health care and housing right behind. He noted that Waterbury – which he called “a reasonably prosperous town” – is facing its third school budget vote and cannot provide enough housing for state employees who work in the large complex of state office buildings. The following is an excerpt from his press conference, which was carried live by WCAX:
“Gov. Scott’s a popular governor. My polling shows that the most important issue for Vermonters is taxation. And the governor has talked a lot about this. Other major issues are health care and housing. And my polling shows I can get within 10 points of Gov. Scott because of my own fiscal record, and my deep commitment to affordable health care. In theory this is a winnable race.
“But I’ve been in state and national politics for a long time. There is only one way to close a 10 point gap between two well-known candidates. And that way is to run a scorched earth, negative attack campaign like ones being run all over the country.
“I am incredibly proud that Vermont is not like Texas or Florida, where creating enemies out of women, gay people and even librarians seems to be acceptable by politicians and rewarded by voters. I don’t know if a campaign like that could get me elected, but I do know that it would be really harmful to our state and to our values. I am not candidate for the office of governor.”
There are no established elected officials of any party actively challenging Scott, who announced earlier this month he’s seeking re-election. Esther Charlestin, a DEI contractor and former Middlebury school administrator, has announced she’s running for the Democratic nomination. Former Burlington mayor Miro Weinberger has explored a race but has not declared. Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman will seek re-election.