The
recounts in the Progressive Primary are expected to be certified by a judge this week. Washington Superior Court Judge Robert Bent has
scheduled a hearing in the case for Tuesday afternoon.
Three days after the primary
election, it’s still not clear who won the Progressive Party’s nomination for
governor. The outcome is important
because a write-in campaign for the Progressive nomination has challenged
Governor Peter Shumlin on energy issues.
Vermont’s Progressive Party hopes to attract new members by
highlighting key differences with the Democrats on budget and tax issues. And that effort could endanger the fragile truce that
currently exists between the two parties in the coming 2012 elections.
The Progressive Party’s biggest impact on the 2010 election
was its decision not to run a candidate for Governor – a move that some
political observers believe helped elect Democrat Peter Shumlin.
The
Progressive Party has chosen not to run a candidate for Governor this year and
about a third of its legislative candidates are also running as Democrats. Still, Progressive leaders say their Party will continue to be an important force in Vermont politics in the future.