In Vermont, Republicans lose a governor

Republicans are looking to 2010 as the year that their fortunes change. That means — the GOP hopes — picking up a tidy list of new Senate, House and governor’s seats.

The effort just got tougher with Vermont Governor Jim Douglas’s decision to step down. He’s still a young guy, just 58, but said it was time to try something new.

That poses some big challenges to the GOP in a state that’s been trending Democratic for a while.

Here’s the Burlington Free Press‘s treatment:

For Republicans who’ve watched their ranks dwindle in Vermont, the move is
a blow. Party Chairman Rob Roper wasn’t expecting it. He learned of
the governor’s decision Wednesday, he said. “Our first choice would have
been to have Gov. Douglas run for re-election,” he said.

Tags: vermont