(Host) Governor Jim Douglas easily won re-election last night to a fourth term in office winning more than 50 percent of the vote.

Independent candidate Anthony Pollina and Democrat Gaye Symington essentially tied for second place.

We have several reports beginning with VPR's Bob Kinzel.

(Kinzel) The big question of the evening was whether or not Douglas would receive at least 50 percent of the vote and keep the election out of the Legislature.

The Governor's campaign had concerns that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's strong showing in Vermont might deprive Douglas of winning a majority of votes. But in the end, it was clear that a number of Vermont voters cast their ballots for both Obama and Douglas.

Douglas told his supporters that he thinks his victory is a strong endorsement of his plans to revitalize the Vermont economy.

(Douglas) "I want to thank the voters of Vermont for their confidence in me and my ability to provide leadership to our state for another two years. These are challenging times. That's very obvious to everyone who has been around the state looking at the challenges that Vermonters are facing. The need to provide hope, opportunity and prosperity for everybody in Vermont."

(Kinzel) Douglas said he hopes to work with Democratic leaders at the Statehouse to quickly pass a strong package of economic development measures.

(Douglas) "That's my pledge to the people of Vermont. I look forward to getting down to business starting tomorrow, sorry staff, to make sure that we use the first 100 days of the next legislative session to their full advantage, to put this economic growth plan in place and begin the march toward prosperity and opportunity for all.''

(Kinzel) Douglas and legislative leaders will soon face some difficult budget decisions. The state's Emergency Board is expected to downgrade the state's revenue forecast later this month. That's an action that will require additional cuts in this year's budget.

For VPR News, I'm Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.

AP Photo/Toby Talbot