House Speaker Shap Smith will announce at an event in Morrisville next Wednesday that he's running for governor, according to two people with direct knowledge of his decision.
Smith told WDEV’s Mark Johnson Thursday morning that he’ll be making an announcement about his political future next Wednesday morning in Morrisville. VPR later confirmed that the event will serve as a campaign kickoff. The Associated Press's Dave Gram first reported the news early Thursday afternoon.
“The speaker is going to be making an announcement next Wednesday in Morrisville, Vermont, and that is right in the communities that he represents and where he spent much of his life, where he went to public schools,” Smith's chief of staff, Dylan Giambatista said Thursday. “And he’s going to be talking about future steps, and what those steps might mean for him and for the state of Vermont.”
Seven Days columnist Paul Heintz reported shortly after the AP story hit the wire that Smith on Tuesday registered as a candidate for governor at the secretary of state’s office, as is required for individuals raising money for a campaign.
Smith, a seven-term Democrat from Morrisville, has served as House Speaker since 2009. He’s one of several Democrats publicly weighing a bid for governor. Transportation Secretary Sue Minter, formerly a state representative from Waterbury, says she’s considering a run for the state’s top office.
Matt Dunne has already raised more than $100,000 for a possible run for the Democratic nomination, and recently announced a 14-county listening tour. Dunne too has registered as a candidate for governor.
Update 3:20 p.m. This story has been updated to include confirmation of Smith's candidacy.
