Free Republic

RCP leaks the premium numbers: Governor: Douglas (R) 52% Parker (D) 38% Senate: Sanders (I) 64% Tarrant (R) 32% House: Welch (D) 51% Rainville (R) 43%

MONTPELIER — A new poll shows Democrat Peter Welch has established a small lead in the race to succeed Rep. Bernard Sanders, one of a few dozen contests that could help to determine control of Congress next year. The poll found that if the election were held now, Welch would get the vote of 45 percent and Martha Rainville, the Republican nominee, would get 39 percent. The poll said other candidates would get 2 percent of the vote and 14 percent of respondents were undecided. WCAX-TV commissioned the poll from Research 2000 of Rockville, Md. A total of 400 likely...

ST. ALBANS — Adj. Gen. Martha Rainville made it official at a scripted campaign rally before more than 100 cheering supporters and the media: She’s a candidate for U.S. Congress. At a morning rally kicking off a two-day campaign swing through the state, Rainville told the crowd, “I want to serve in Congress as your advocate, as your voice on issues affecting you and your families, on issues affecting Vermont and America. Too much time and energy in Washington is being spent on finger-pointing and bickering across party lines.” “The focus seems to lie not on resolving issues, but on...

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Vermont National Guard Chief Martha Rainville will be a candidate for the U.S. House, two sources close to Rainville have told The Associated Press. Rainville's political spokesman, Nathan Rice, said Wednesday that the general had made a decision but he would not say what that decision was. Rice said Rainville would say Thursday or Friday when she would make her announcement. But two separate sources told the AP on Wednesday that Rainville has decided to run. The sources asked that their names not be used because of Rainville's desire to keep the decision private. Rainville will...