Republicans are looking at a gubernatorial primary to choose their candidate to face Democrat Peter Shumlin in the general election. But GOP officials are divided over whether a highly contested primary will help or hinder their chances in November.
In all likelihood, there’s going to be a Republican primary for governor. The question is, will it have two candidates in it or perhaps three?
"I see it as being as good, as long as we have a primary that’s focused on issues and what’s good for Vermont and not what’s wrong with Scott Milne or what’s wrong with Randy Brock."- Potential GOP primary candidate Scott Milne
That’s because former independent gubernatorial candidate Emily Peyton has gathered enough petitions to qualify for the Republican ballot.
There are two other candidates eyeing this race. The GOP candidate for governor in 2012, Randy Brock, and businessman Scott Milne.
David Sunderland is the chairman of the Vermont Republican Party. He says there are good arguments in favor of a primary and against the idea. Here’s the positive evaluation.
“A Republican primary would get our Republican candidates in front of Vermonters earlier and would have them debating about the merits of the Republican solutions to the problems Vermonters are facing,” said Sunderland. “Those are certainly issues that the Party can benefit by getting out in front of voters early.”
But Sunderland says there’s always the danger that the GOP candidates will have to spend some of their limited financial resources in order to win the Party’s nomination. He says this could hurt them in the General Election.
“If there’s only one candidate then that candidate can start earlier raising money and can certainly keep their powder dry,” said Sunderland. “And focus their attention solely on Governor Shumlin who we obviously believe is taking the state in the wrong direction.”
Former Brock campaign manager Darcie Johnston says having a primary would be a disaster because the winning candidate would seriously deplete their campaign war chest and would enter the General Election in a weakened position.
But Scott Milne has a different approach. He says Shumlin will ignore the GOP candidates until Labor Day.
Milne thinks a primary contest would give the Republican candidates a chance to get their ideas in front of voters during the summer months.
“So then a Republican candidate whoever that person is without a primary is going to have from September 1 to Election Day, 60 days to get through a lot of complicated issues and do an awful lot of work,” said Milne. “I see it as being as good as long as we have a primary that’s focused on issues and what’s good for Vermont and not what’s wrong with Scott Milne or what’s wrong with Randy Brock.”
The questions surrounding a GOP primary should be answered very soon. Brock is expected to announce his intentions in a matter of days – perhaps as early as Monday. Milne says he’s going to wait until the June 12 filing deadline before he makes a final decision.
