Barre Mayor Republican Thom Lauzon early on established what he describes a “great relationship” with Democratic Governor Shumlin.He lobbied heavily to get a deal on locating state employees in his economically challenged city of Barre. Now it seems the mayor, who is a trained accountant is placing some hedge bets with his political endorsement capital. (It should be noted that the colorful Mayor Lauzon was the 2009 winner of the coveted GMD Sockeye Salmon Award)

Earlier this week before of any Republican entered the race, Lauzon invested in an endorsement of Democrat TJ Donovan. Donovan is taking on longtime attorney general Democrat Bill Sorrell in a primary.Today Seven Days' Fair Game has more on the Barre mayor. To start off his hedging fun, Lauzon comments with almost equal parts of snide and respect on possible Republican AG candidate Jack McMullen

Was he [McMullen] the one who had the primary against Fred Tuttle?

And then adds

I have a lot of respect for Jack as a person, but I’ve not had the opportunity to work with him in the context of the skill set you need as attorney general — and I have had the opportunity to work with T.J. Donovan,

Lauzon’s hedging on the race for governor could prove a riskier hedge of political capital. The mayor coyly offers that years back he once supported a Democrat (Tom Salmon) in a statewide race for auditor of accounts against a Republican. The Republican was Randy Brock. When asked the obvious question, would he endorse Shumlin, Lauzon says:

“I will confirm that I’ve had conversations with the governor’s staff,” Lauzon says. “They’ve asked about an endorsement, and I’m considering it. That’s not a knock against anyone.”  

With Republican friends like this candidate Randy Brock better stop worrying about bears in the woods.