MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The election was just eight days ago, but already, there are two candidates battling over one seat.
Both Representative and current House Speaker Shap Smith, and Representative Paul Poirier won re-election, but now, they're vying for the most votes from their legislative colleagues for Speaker of the Vermont House.
Smith is a conservative Democrat, while Poirier is a liberal Independent. Both say the budget, healthcare, education and expanding broadband in the state are top priorities.
"It's a job where you have to solve a lot of puzzles, both policy, personal, political and I really love that aspect of the job," Rep. Smith said.
"We have 150 members of the house, they all represent about the same number of people and I just believe that the house floor should be a place where we encourage debate," Rep. Poirier said.
The election will be held on January 9th, that's the first day of the legislative session. It is a secret ballot.
