In a result many political observers described as "expected," Cheryl Rivers defeated Jan Backus in the Democratic Party primary for Lieutenant Governor. Both candidates were considered excellent choices, with their major difference one of "style." Backus was considered the thoughtful candidate who could bring disparate partisans together on a given issue, while Rivers is considered to be forthright and steadfast on her established positions.
      Both women had long histories of support for lgbt issues, and both had voted in favor of civil unions in the Senate. Both had said repeatedly that they favor gay marriage.
     Meanwhile, in the other major primary contest, Dennis Carver, a maverick Republican, pulled off a stunning upset over Marianne Kennedy, who had been asked by Governor Jim Douglas to run for state Attorney General. Transwoman Karen Kerin, who ran on a "restoration of liberty" platform, came in third.
     Most of the other LGBT candidates had primary contests. Robert Dostis (Waterbury, Duxbury, Huntington, and Buel's Gore) and Bill Lippert (Hinesburg) are Democratic incumbents in House races facing Republican challengers. Democratic House candidate Jason Lorber and Progressive Barbara Nolfi are campaigning for the Burlington House seat left open by Progressive Representative Steve Hingten's campaign for Lt. Governor. And Steve Howard, of Rutland, is facing Republican candidate Angela Victory, a political neophyte (and ironically, a friend of Howard's mother), for the Rutland District 5-3 seat.
     Although Orange County Democratic chair Bob Bland said he filed for candidacy simply to ensure a full slate, he won a three-way primary for two House seats, moving the potential gay legislator count up to 5 reps, one senator.