(The following was originally published on the VT Digger.)
The Vermont Progressive Party will have four statewide candidates, three incumbent senators and 14 House candidates running for office in the 2014 election.
The Progressive party, one of four state major parties, announced its slate on Saturday — well ahead of the Vermont Democratic Party and the Vermont GOP, and the June 12 filing deadline for candidates. While the Democrats are fielding a preponderance of incumbents, the Republicans have announced some House and Senate candidates, but have yet to declare who will be running for statewide office, including the gubernatorial race. The Vermont Liberty Union Party, which gained major party status in the 2012 election, is also fielding a slate of statewide candidates and a candidate for the House of Representatives, who may be the sole contender for Rep. Peter Welch’s seat.
Progressive Party officials touted the “real growth” in the number of candidates since 2012.
Vermont politics is unique. The Progressives & Liberty Union Party have long been the major opposition parties in Vermont. They do have an active LP affiliate, I suspect we’ll see some candidates come forward. The CP is virtually nonexistent in VT, and understandably so, social conservative has been dead there for a long time.
The WFP will almost certainly endorse most of the Democrats.
Where are the LP, CP and WFP?