MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The Progressive Party is sitting out the governor's race in Vermont, despite nominating a candidate in last week's primary election.
Party chair Martha Abbott was the lone candidate on the ballot for the Progressive primary. She has been certified the winner, but has decided to decline the nomination. Abbott released a statement saying that most Progressives want the party to stay out of the governor's race. She says Democratic incumbent Peter Shumlin is committed to Progressive ideals like implementing a single-payer health care plan and closing Vermont Yankee. And she says, "It is important that Shumlin receive large majorities in the election to demonstrate the political will of Vermonters to continue to put these policies in place."
The presence of a Progressive in past elections has angered Democrats who argued that led to the splitting of liberal votes and helped Republicans win.
