Media Note: In Endorsements, Newspapers Go For Incumbents | Off Message

Please support our work!

Donate  Advertise

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Media Note: In Endorsements, Newspapers Go For Incumbents

Posted By on Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Newspaper editorial boards throughout Vermont appear to be lining up behind incumbents ahead of next Tuesday's statewide elections.

Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin has been endorsed by six newspapers thus far, including the Burlington Free Press and the more conservative St. Albans Messenger. His Republican opponent, Randy Brock, has garnered endorsements from two papers: the conservative Caledonian Record and the Manchester Journal.

Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Scott has so far shut out Progressive/Democrat Cassandra Gekas, while fellow Republican Vince Illuzzi has shut out Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer in their race for state auditor. Though neither candidate for auditor is an incumbent, most of the seven papers endorsing Illuzzi treated him as one, given his 32 years in the senate. 

In the hotly contested race for state treasurer, appointed incumbent Democrat Beth Pearce has drawn the support of seven papers, including the Freeps, the Messenger and opponent Wendy Wilton's hometown paper, the Rutland Herald. Like Brock, Wilton was endorsed by the Caledonian Record and the Manchester Journal.

During the Democratic primary for attorney general, incumbent Bill Sorrell lost the endorsement war to challenger T.J. Donovan. But in the general election, he's won five endorsements — including one from the Freeps, which previously back Donovan.

A few endorsements are still pending. The Valley News plans to issue an endorsement on Saturday, while the Rutland Herald and Barre-Montpelier Times Argus — both of which are owned by the same family and run the same endorsements — plan to weigh in on the gubernatorial and lite gov races in the coming days. The Brattleboro Reformer, meanwhile, hasn't decided yet whether to endorse, and the Newport Daily Express does not endorse.

Neither do we!

Here's a list of the endorsements we've seen. Are we missing any? Let us know!

Governor

Sen. Randy Brock (R): Manchester Journal, Caledonian Record (Separately, the Record also editorialized against Shumlin

Gov. Peter Shumlin (D): Burlington Free Press, St. Albans Messenger, Addison Independent, Bennington Banner, Stowe Reporter, Waterbury Record

 

Lieutenant Governor

Casandra Gekas (P/D):

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott (R): Burlington Free Press, Addison Independent, Manchester Journal, Barton Chronicle

 

Treasurer

State Treasurer Beth Pearce (D): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, St. Albans Messenger, Addison Independent, Bennington Banner, Barton Chronicle

Don Schramm (P):

Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton (R): Manchester Journal, Caledonian Record

 

Attorney General

Jack McMullen (R): Manchester Journal

Attorney General Bill Sorrell (D): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, Addison Independent, Bennington Banner

Ed Stanak (P):

 

Auditor of Accounts

Doug Hoffer (D/P):

Sen. Vince Illuzzi (R): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, St. Albans Messenger, Bennington Banner, Manchester Journal, Caledonian Record

Neither: Addison Independent issued a non-endorsement in this race

 

U.S. Senate

John MacGovern (R):

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus

 

U.S. House

Mark Donka (R):

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D): Burlington Free Press, Rutland Herald, Barre-Montpelier Times Argus

Comments

Showing 1-1 of 1

 

Comments are closed.

Since 2014, Seven Days has allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we’ve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down — at least temporarily.

While we champion free speech, facts are a matter of life and death during the coronavirus pandemic, and right now Seven Days is prioritizing the production of responsible journalism over moderating online debates between readers.

To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor. Or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.

Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.

About The Author

Paul Heintz

Paul Heintz

Bio:
Paul Heintz was part of the Seven Days news team from 2012 to 2020. He served as political editor and wrote the "Fair Game" political column before becoming a staff writer.

Latest in Off Message

Keep up with us Seven Days a week!

Sign up for our fun and informative
newsletters:

All content © 2024 Da Capo Publishing, Inc. 255 So. Champlain St. Ste. 5, Burlington, VT 05401

Advertising Policy  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us  |  About Us  |  Help
Website powered by Foundation