GOP Gubernatorial contender? Wait and see...

MONTPELIER — At minimum, the field of prospective Republican gubernatorial candidates will shrink by one this week. Many well-placed sources, however, say they expect Randy Brock to announce his intention to run for governor at a Statehouse press conference Wednesday.

By no means can the Vermont Press Bureau confirm the rumors. And while many in-the-know political observers say ‘governor,’ others hear the Franklin County senator has decided on a bid for treasurer.

Brock himself isn’t saying. But he has promised to reveal his plans for 2012 at 1 p.m. in Montpelier on Wednesday.

The long-time Swanton resident spent a term in the auditor’s office before being unseated in 2006 by then-Democrat Tom Salmon. Regarded as a top financial mind under the Golden Dome, Brock has helped lead the opposition to Gov. Peter Shumlin’s push for single-payer health care.

If Brock opts instead to take on State Treasurer Beth Pearce – widely viewed as the most vulnerable Dem incumbent in a statewide office – the task of challenging Shumlin would fall to Mark Snelling, Brian Dubie, GOP Chairwoman Pat McDonald or some yet-unknown still flying under the radar.

For his part, Snelling says he hasn’t discounted entirely a run at the state’s top elected office. But he says he’s busy building up his small business and would be “delighted” to see Brock announce for governor.

“I’ve encouraged Randy to run for governor and would be thrilled to see him do so,” Snelling said over the weekend. “I think he’d make a tremendous governor.”

Some top Republican figures, including former Gov. James Douglas, will reportedly be on hand for Wednesday’s announcement. Check back here for elections news as it happens.