While most polls show Democrats facing some hurdles in this year's race to take back the House and hold onto the Senate, Governor Peter Shumlin (D. VT) is confident Democrats will make big gains in local races:
http://www.politico.com/...
Speaking to reporters at an event sponsored by the group Third Way, Shumlin grouped Democratic gubernatorial prospects into three tiers.
The “brightest hopes,” he said, are in Maine, Pennsylvania and Florida, states that President Barack Obama carried in both 2008 and 2012.
The second tier, according to Shumlin, is the races occurring in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, “where we also have very good shots.”
Finally, “we are optimistic about our chances” in South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas and Arizona, even though Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, carried those states.
Shumlin said voters would punish Republican governors for what he called agendas that favor the wealthy and cater to the right wing of the party. - Politico, 4/29/14
And Shumlin is calling on big name donors to get their heads in the game:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Top Democrats aren't coy about the fact that they'd like more high-profile donors to help prop up their efforts. Those working to help elect senators in particular have openly stoked fears about a GOP majority to energize voters and moneymen.
But it's rare for elected officials to make cash appeals that are this direct. And at a time when party leaders in Washington have launched an extensive campaign to vilify top Republican donors, particularly Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) criticism of the Koch brothers, the note may seem discordant.
Shumlin didn't seem to particularly care. He is a close friend of one of the party's newest big donors, hedge fund manager Tom Steyer (the two went to summer camp together when they were children). And he suggested Steyer was likely to remain involved in gubernatorial races after having propped up the big Democratic winner in the 2013 cycle, Terry McAuliffe of Virginia.
"We obviously welcome Tom's participation," said Shumlin. "The Republicans have so many people who have the ability to give to elect Republicans and they do it. And the Democrats don't. So, you know, we would like to not only encourage Tom to invest in the future of America's democracy, but we would like to have a few more friends join him." - Huffington Post, 4/29/14
By the way, if you're looking for a reason to re-elect Shumlin, here's a big reason:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Any day now, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) is expected to make history by signing that bill into law as he has suggested, making his the first state to require genetically modified food to be labeled as such. Then, maybe not too long after that, expect the state to be sued over it.
There’s no guarantee of legal action, but legislators, officials and advocates are preparing for it. Earlier this month, state Attorney General Bill Sorrell told Vermont Public Radio that he would be “very surprised” if the state isn’t sued over the law. And officials were so sure of a challenge that the measure itself creates a $1.5 million legal defense fund, to be paid for with settlements won by the state. They think it’s coming, but they also say they’re ready.
“The threat of a lawsuit worked for a while, but now it doesn’t work anymore,” says Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association, whose organization has for years worked with activists and lawmakers in Vermont on the issue. “I think they may go ahead and sue and do it rather quickly in the hopes that it may gather momentum,” he added, referring to biotech industry groups.
Other states have pursued similar measures, but Vermont’s law will be the first of its kind. Connecticut and Maine passed labeling requirements, but with trigger clauses requiring multiple other states to pass labeling requirements before their own go into effect. At least 25 states have considered such legislation, according to a Monday report on labeling requirements from the nonprofit Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. And advocates are hopeful they will get a measure on the Oregon ballot this year. - Washington Post, 4/29/14
If you want to donate and get involved with Shumlin's re-election bid, you can do so here:
http://www.shumlinforgovernor.com/