It appears likely that more candidates are going to jump into the Democratic race for governor. Former Windham Sen. Peter Galbraith says he's seriously considering running to ensure that "economic justice" issues are prominently discussed in this year's gubernatorial contest.
The results of the new VPR Poll show just how wide open this race is. Sixty-nine percent of people responding to the poll don't know whom they are going to support in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Former State Sen. Matt Dunne was favored by 19 percent and former Transportation Secretary Sue Minter had the support of 11 percent.
That's one of the reasons why former Windham Sen. Peter Galbraith is on the verge of becoming a candidate. The other major factor is that Galbraith doesn't think Dunne or Minter is discussing the key issues facing the state.
“I think there is a need for a more progressive candidate,” Galbraith says. “Where we can make a difference is in economic justice, and that's not being discussed."
One of Galbraith's top economic priorities is raising the state minimum wage to $12 an hour as soon as possible.
“The most effective anti-poverty program we could have is raising the minimum wage,” says Galbraith. “As a senator, I proposed raising it to $12 an hour that we could do right away. I've talked to economists; it would be a stimulus to our economy.”
As a senator, Galbraith sponsored a bill that created a single payer health care system in Vermont but his effort was not successful.
"The most effective anti-poverty program we could have is raising the minimum wage." — Former Windham Sen. Peter Galbraith
Now his goal is to provide free primary health care to all Vermonters. Galbraith would pay for this by imposing a 1.5 percent payroll tax on all businesses.
“Which is the thing that would make the biggest difference to the health of Vermonters in fact would reduce long term health care costs by having people get health care sooner,” Galbraith said.
Retired Middlebury College political science professor Eric Davis says a candidate with Galbraith's message could do well in the Democratic gubernatorial primary because these voters tend to be more liberal.
“Single payer in health care, a more redistributive tax system, look seriously at the state's social programs and who is benefiting from them, and some of the ideas that the so-called moral economy campaigners have been talking about in recent months,” Davis says. “I think there's room for a candidate with that message in the Democratic primary."
"I think a candidate could declare in early April and still have plenty of time to put together an organization, build support at the grassroots and be in a very credible position for an early August primary." — Retired Middlebury College political science professor Eric Davis
Galbraith says he expects to make a decision about running for governor at the beginning of April. Davis says that's a reasonable timeframe to be considered a serious candidate.
“I think a candidate could declare in early April and still have plenty of time to put together an organization build support at the grassroots and be in a very credible position for an early August primary,” said Davis.
Former Wardsboro Rep. John Moran is considering getting into the race. And House Speaker Shap Smith says he hasn't ruled out a run.
