Having failed to meet the threshold needed to qualify for public financing, Democrat John Bauer has withdrawn from the race for lieutenant governor.
Bauer said his decision to pull out of the race came “after talking with many leaders of the Democratic Party.”
He did not specify details of those conversations, but did say his candidacy would have “would have been manageable had we as a party come together to support the goal of public financing.”
“Were I to run, it would require me to spend more time asking for money than having important conversations with Vermonters about the issues,” Bauer said in a written statement. “This, on top of holding down a full-time job and caring for my father, who has developed health issues during the campaign.”
Bauer’s exit clears the field for a one-on-one match-up between incumbent Republican Phil Scott and Progressive Party challenger Dean Corren, who Wednesday announced that he had cleared the fundraising hurdle - $17,500 from 750 individuals in amounts $50 or less – to qualify for public financing.
Corren will get $50,000 in public money during the primary, and $150,000 during the general election. The $200,000 campaign budget is more than Scott raised in either of his first two election campaigns.
Corren and Bauer shared similar campaign platforms, including support for single-payer health care and more progressive economic policies.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to campaign as the Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor,” Bauer said. “And now, Democrats and Vermonters who want to ensure a better, more equitable economy - and want to elect a Lt. Governor who understands the position is not just a well-paid, part-time job - must look elsewhere for their candidate for the office that is a heartbeat away from the governorship.”
Updated at 3:01 p.m. June 12
