Progressive state rep. forms House exploratory committeeBy Ross Sneyd
Published November 4th 2005 in The Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt. --Progressive state Rep. David Zuckerman stepped closer
to entering the U.S. House race Friday when he formed an exploratory
committee that will enable him to raise and spend money as he
contemplates the campaign.
He set no timetable for making a decision, but creating the committee is an important formal step toward getting into the race. Zuckerman sounded very much like a candidate, even though he said he did not anticipate making a final decision for some time.
"I'm getting more and more serious all the time," Zuckerman said. "Many of these are steps we do along the way to prepare for the full-bore campaign, but there are still steps to be taken."
Zuckerman has been talking about jumping into the congressional race since it became clear that Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., would be stepping down to run for the retiring Sen. James Jeffords' seat.
Many left-leaning Democrats and even Sanders, the inspiration for the Progressive Party if not a member himself, have argued that the presence of a Progressive in the race could split the liberal vote and lead to the election of a Republican.
Zuckerman rejects that reasoning. He says the Legislature could adopt a law calling for instant runoff voting that would neutralize a spoiler. Under such a system, a voter ranks candidates in order of preference and if none gets a majority on the initial ballot, second choices would count.
"Frankly, one of the parties that control that solution is the party that cries the most about it and that's the Democratic Party," Zuckerman said. "The Democratic candidate, or likely candidate, is in a position to do something about that."
Zuckerman referred to state Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch.
Welch is the only announced Democratic candidate. His campaign manager said Zuckerman's move would make no difference.
"Peter Welch is focused on one thing and one thing only, and that is turning around the corrupt and incompetent Republican leadership in Washington," said Carolyn Dwyer. "Peter has no control over what other potential candidates do, but he does have control to do everything he can to ensure Tom DeLay does not get another vote in Congress."
Sanders already has endorsed Welch and has been actively supporting him, including appearing at a recent Democratic fund-raiser and planning to co-host an upcoming one for Welch in Washington.
Zuckerman is well aware that he won't have Sanders' help.
"We chatted months ago about this and he made his position clear, as he has publicly, that he'll be supporting whatever Democrat runs," Zuckerman said. "It certainly doesn't help (his own campaign) but I also think as a party we have grown, certainly with his help but also outside of his help. At some point, you have to remember parties are more than one individual."
Only one Republican at the moment appears poised to get into the congressional race. Vermont National Guard Adjutant Gen. Martha Rainville has formed an exploratory committee and is actively courting supporters.
"Right now she's not officially a candidate," said Nathan Rice, spokesman for Rainville' exploratory bid. "She is getting out there and talking with and listening to Vermonters and hearing about the issues that are of interest to Vermonters."
Zuckerman, 34, is serving his fifth term in the state House. He works as an organic vegetable farmer and is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
On the Net:
http://www.zuckermanforcongress.com
He set no timetable for making a decision, but creating the committee is an important formal step toward getting into the race. Zuckerman sounded very much like a candidate, even though he said he did not anticipate making a final decision for some time.
"I'm getting more and more serious all the time," Zuckerman said. "Many of these are steps we do along the way to prepare for the full-bore campaign, but there are still steps to be taken."
Zuckerman has been talking about jumping into the congressional race since it became clear that Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., would be stepping down to run for the retiring Sen. James Jeffords' seat.
Many left-leaning Democrats and even Sanders, the inspiration for the Progressive Party if not a member himself, have argued that the presence of a Progressive in the race could split the liberal vote and lead to the election of a Republican.
Zuckerman rejects that reasoning. He says the Legislature could adopt a law calling for instant runoff voting that would neutralize a spoiler. Under such a system, a voter ranks candidates in order of preference and if none gets a majority on the initial ballot, second choices would count.
"Frankly, one of the parties that control that solution is the party that cries the most about it and that's the Democratic Party," Zuckerman said. "The Democratic candidate, or likely candidate, is in a position to do something about that."
Zuckerman referred to state Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch.
Welch is the only announced Democratic candidate. His campaign manager said Zuckerman's move would make no difference.
"Peter Welch is focused on one thing and one thing only, and that is turning around the corrupt and incompetent Republican leadership in Washington," said Carolyn Dwyer. "Peter has no control over what other potential candidates do, but he does have control to do everything he can to ensure Tom DeLay does not get another vote in Congress."
Sanders already has endorsed Welch and has been actively supporting him, including appearing at a recent Democratic fund-raiser and planning to co-host an upcoming one for Welch in Washington.
Zuckerman is well aware that he won't have Sanders' help.
"We chatted months ago about this and he made his position clear, as he has publicly, that he'll be supporting whatever Democrat runs," Zuckerman said. "It certainly doesn't help (his own campaign) but I also think as a party we have grown, certainly with his help but also outside of his help. At some point, you have to remember parties are more than one individual."
Only one Republican at the moment appears poised to get into the congressional race. Vermont National Guard Adjutant Gen. Martha Rainville has formed an exploratory committee and is actively courting supporters.
"Right now she's not officially a candidate," said Nathan Rice, spokesman for Rainville' exploratory bid. "She is getting out there and talking with and listening to Vermonters and hearing about the issues that are of interest to Vermonters."
Zuckerman, 34, is serving his fifth term in the state House. He works as an organic vegetable farmer and is chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
On the Net:
http://www.zuckermanforcongress.com
