Vermont Progressives Say They Will Focus on Legislative Races

For all the debate in recent days around a recount in the Vermont Progressive Party's gubernatorial primary, party leaders say they want to keep their focus on winning more seats in the state House and Senate.

Party Chairwoman Martha Abbott appears to have won the Aug. 28 primary by one vote over write-in candidate Annette Smith, but Smith is seeking a recount.

Abbott responded to her apparent win by declining the nomination and saying she wants Progressive support to go for incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin.

She and Morgan Daybell, the party's executive director, say they want to focus the party's resources on legislative races. They say it's not clear the party will take an active role in supporting Smith if the recount results in her being the Progressive nominee.

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