(Host) Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gaye Symington says Governor Jim Douglas has shown too little leadership on some important issues facing the state.

Symington says her strategy for defeating Douglas this fall will be holding him accountable for his record.

VPR's Bob Kinzel reports:

(Kinzel) Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Douglas has served 3 terms in office and is now seeking a fourth term - Symington hopes to turn Douglas's experience into a liability.

Part of her strategy is to ask Vermonters - to borrow an old political phrase - "are you better off now than you were 6 years ago when Douglas was first elected?"

Speaking on VPR's Vermont Edition, Symington said she plans to closely examine Douglas's performance in office during this campaign:

(Symington) "My focus this year will be on the track record of our current governor. I don't think Vermonters feel we're making enough progress in addressing our challenges of health care costs and energy costs and the pace at which those basic costs are rising relative to our incomes. And that comes down to really looking at the original promises around job growth. Job growth in the state is fairly stagnant except in low wage jobs."

(Kinzel) Symington says she's proud of the work the Legislature has done to expand access to health care for many uninsured Vermonters. But she says it will be difficult to make substantial progress in the future without the assistance of the federal government:

(Symington) "Then we need to take what we did this year to continue to push for modest steps that remove barriers. We tried to remove barriers that are there with pre-existing conditions for Catamount. I don't think we can make as much progress as we want without partnering with our federal government...and say to the federal government, `Could you help us instead of creating the barriers that the last eight years of administration have presented to us.'"

(Kinzel) Symington says she looks forward to an issue-oriented campaign with Douglas and Progressive Anthony Pollina:

(Symington) "I think we have now three very different candidates in the race. That will make for a very rich conversation going forward and a lot of good choices for Vermonters as they choose who they want to lead their state."

(Kinzel) Symington and Pollina have both formally announced their candidacies. Douglas is scheduled to make his formal announcement in about a month.

For VPR News I'm Bob Kinzel in Montpelier.