Thursday was the deadline for candidates to file their post-election campaign finance reports with the Vermont Secretary of State's office. They indicate that incumbents spent far less than challengers and that Political Action Committees were not very successful in getting their candidates elected in the state.
In Vermont’s gubernatorial race, thepost election campaign finance reports show that Republican challenger Randy Brock spent more than $806,000, which included a $300,000 loan he made to his campaign. Incumbent winner Democrat Peter Shumlin spent just over $320,000 and he still has more than $900,000 on hand. It’s a similar story in other statewide races. Middlebury College Professor Emeritus of Political Science Eric Davis.
Burlington Free Press Staff Reporter Nancy Remsen wrote that this year’s election would be remembered for how little the governor spent, and the influence of one woman on a SuperPac.
The most publicized SuperPac in Vermont, Vermonters First, had a very low success rate despite high spending and large donations from one individual. Eric Davis believes the Legislature will review SuperPacs during its next session.
Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos says his office does not analyze the reports but is the clearinghouse for campaign finance information.
The finance reports were due by 5 pm Thursday. The Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Cassandra Gekas, failed to file by that deadline. She lost the election to incumbent Phil Scott. Secretary of State Jim Condos said there is no penalty for a late filing and that Gekas had called his office and asked to file on Friday.
