After a recount showed Vermont Democrat Peter Shumlin’s lead had only grown, second-place finisher Doug Racine conceded the race for governor Friday, giving the party an official nominee more than two weeks after the Aug. 24 primary.
The recount of 74,633 ballots in Vermont’s 14 counties began Wednesday and concluded earlier than expected on Friday morning. The new totals showed Shumlin, the state Senate pro tempore, atop Racine, a former lieutenant governor, by 203 votes, expanding slightly his 197-vote margin from the original count.
The recount of 74,633 ballots in Vermont’s 14 counties began Wednesday and concluded earlier than expected on Friday morning. The new totals showed Shumlin, the state Senate pro tempore, atop Racine, a former lieutenant governor, by 203 votes, expanding slightly his 197-vote margin from the original count.
Shumlin gained 25 net votes, while Racine picked up 19. Crittenden County, the state’s most populous, was the last to tabulate its votes. Racine picked up 13 votes there while Shumlin gained four, but it was far short of the amount he needed to overtake the lead.
Shortly after the final votes were counted, Racine called an afternoon press conference outside the Chittenden Superior Court, where he officially conceded the race. Shumlin campaign manager Alex MacLean told POLITICO that Racine called Shumlin earlier Friday morning to inform him of his decision.
“Sen. Racine has been incredibly gracious, and he continued to be so today,” MacLean said. Shumlin has scheduled his own press conference for later this afternoon.
Despite the delay in declaring an official winner, there has been a clear show of unity between the onetime rivals since the primary. Even as the recount began, the two candidates were touring the state in an RV, along with the other three Democrats who had been in the race. Racine had nothing but praise for Shumlin during the two-week limbo period, even encouraging his donors and backers to get behind the presumptive nominee, saying he had requested the recount only to be certain of the outcome.
Shumlin will now face Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who was unopposed in his primary, giving him a head start and a financial edge going into the general election. The most recent public polls showed Dubie with a double-digit lead over Shumlin. Republican Gov. Jim Douglas is retiring after four two-year terms.
Dubie released his own statement congratulating Shumlin on the win, but was quick to point out the differences between himself and his newly minted opponent.
“I look forward to a spirited debate,” Dubie said. “The differences between my opponent and me on the most important issues in this election — jobs and the economy — could not be greater. I look forward to letting Vermonters decide who they think best represents the interests of Vermont families, workers and job creators.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41984.html
Shortly after the final votes were counted, Racine called an afternoon press conference outside the Chittenden Superior Court, where he officially conceded the race. Shumlin campaign manager Alex MacLean told POLITICO that Racine called Shumlin earlier Friday morning to inform him of his decision.
“Sen. Racine has been incredibly gracious, and he continued to be so today,” MacLean said. Shumlin has scheduled his own press conference for later this afternoon.
Despite the delay in declaring an official winner, there has been a clear show of unity between the onetime rivals since the primary. Even as the recount began, the two candidates were touring the state in an RV, along with the other three Democrats who had been in the race. Racine had nothing but praise for Shumlin during the two-week limbo period, even encouraging his donors and backers to get behind the presumptive nominee, saying he had requested the recount only to be certain of the outcome.
Shumlin will now face Republican Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, who was unopposed in his primary, giving him a head start and a financial edge going into the general election. The most recent public polls showed Dubie with a double-digit lead over Shumlin. Republican Gov. Jim Douglas is retiring after four two-year terms.
Dubie released his own statement congratulating Shumlin on the win, but was quick to point out the differences between himself and his newly minted opponent.
“I look forward to a spirited debate,” Dubie said. “The differences between my opponent and me on the most important issues in this election — jobs and the economy — could not be greater. I look forward to letting Vermonters decide who they think best represents the interests of Vermont families, workers and job creators.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41984.html