VT-Gov: Two of Vermont's most prominent Democrats, Attorney General T.J. Donovan and Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, have been publicly considering bids for governor since the middle of the year, but in new interviews this week, neither would confirm their plans one way or the other.
Zuckerman, however, has changed his tune a bit. In June, he told Seven Days, "If I'm going to challenge the governor, I'll have my kickoff in November or December," but now he insists he does not have a "specific timeline." VTDigger reports, though, that both Zuckerman and Donovan "are angling to make final decisions by the end of the year."
VTDigger also says that the two have been talking to one another and previously reported that the two are "reluctant" to face one another in a primary. But if either does decide to go for it, a contested nomination battle looms nevertheless, since former state education secretary Rebecca Holcombe has been running since July.
Other entrants are possible, though none seem likely. Former state House Speaker Shap Smith says he "did give it some consideration" but added, "I'm just not sure that this is the right time personally." Smith ran for governor in the 2016 cycle but suspended his campaign after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He later contemplated re-entering the race but wound up running for lieutenant governor instead (he lost the primary to Zuckerman, 44-38).
Meanwhile, VTDigger reports that Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberg is "not currently thinking about running," according to his chief of staff. Republican Gov. Phil Scott has said he'll announce whether he'll seek a third two-year term after the legislative session ends on May 20, but with Vermont's candidate filing deadline just a week later, it would be a surprise if he left his party in a lurch by retiring at such a late date.