BARRE, Vt. — Republican Scott Milne, 55, a travel agency executive from Pomfret, is considered the favorite in this year’s Republican primary against two other candidates who do not have the party establishment’s backing. Shumlin also faces a little-known primary challenger.
If money matters, Milne faces tall odds. Campaign finance reports filed last week showed him with less than $20,000 in his campaign coffers, versus more than $1 million for Shumlin. But Douglas, who stepped down as Shumlin took office in 2011, said the defeat of the US House majority leader in a primary last month by an upstart candidate provides an example of overcoming those odds.
‘‘The size of the war chest doesn’t necessarily mean the outcome of the race. I have two words: Eric Cantor,’’ Douglas said in remarks introducing Milne, referring to the former House majority leader.
Related: Cantoring Through Politics
Milne has not run previously for statewide office, but comes from a political family. Both his father and mother served in the Vermont House; his father is still the clerk of that body.
He said his late entrance into the campaign is an advantage because it will allow him to keep up momentum and get by with less campaign cash....
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Related: Vermont is No Longer Progressive
But don't you let that ruin the mythical narrative of the Green Mountain state.
