BREAKING NEWS: Governor Douglas announces he will not seek reelection in 2010

MIDDLEBURY — Sources this morning confirmed that Vermont Gov. James Douglas will announce today that he will not seek reelection in 2010.

The Middlebury Republican, who is serving his fourth term as governor, will make the announcement at an 11 a.m. press conference from the governor’s ceremonial office at the Statehouse.

Douglas has served 36 years in public office. A Massachusetts native, he was first elected to the Vermont House in 1972, the year he graduated from Middlebury College.

He served as secretary of state from 1981-1993. After losing a race for U.S. Senate to Democrat Patrick Leahy in 1992, Douglas worked for Porter Medical Center before winning a race for state treasurer in 1994.

Douglas won his first of four races for governor in 2002.

Already, several Democrats have announced their intentions to run for governor, including Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, former Lt. Gov. and current State Sen. Doug Racine, D-Chittenden County, and State Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Stowe.

Senate Pro Tem Peter Shumlin has not announced an official bid for the office yet, but the Putney Democrat has discussed the prospect.

This story will be updated on our Web site (www.addisonindependent.com) after the 11 a.m. conference.