Vermont parties to hold conventions

BC-VT — Political Conventions,0119

Vermont parties to hold conventions

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BARRE, Vt. (AP) — Vermont’s Democratic, Republican and Progressive parties meet for their annual conventions this weekend.

Progressives gather first at 10 a.m. at the Old Labor Hall in Barre to hear talks about health reform and the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant and to elect officers.

Republicans meet at 11 a.m. at the Montpelier Elks Lodge. They’ll be filling the position of party chair because the incumbent, Rob Roper, has decided not to seek re-election.

At 4 p.m., it’s the Democrats’ turn to fill the Old Labor Hall. They’ll hear from U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders. Congressman Peter Welch won’t be there because he’s traveling to Pakistan.