Mr. Sunderland’s election last fall represented the triumph of a wing of the party that wants to rebuild it by emphasizing moderation and its distinctive Vermont character, over a more combative faction that included its previous chairman, Jack Lindley, that was more interested in social issues and in aligning itself with the national party.

The most prominent face of the party’s moderate wing is Lt. Gov. Phil Scott, an affable 55-year-old who owns a construction company and is a member of Mr. Shumlin’s cabinet. “I feel we have probably bottomed out,” he said this week. “I’m sure it’ll never return to what it once was, but that’s O.K.”

He says he takes his cues from predecessors like Deane C. Davis, a moderate governor who oversaw the creation of a sales tax and environmental protections. “Vermont Republicans are a different breed than nationally, admittedly,” Mr. Scott said, adding, “I would like to bring the party back to its roots.”

He is too pragmatic to challenge Mr. Shumlin, who is popular and, as chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, has a healthy war chest. But Mr. Scott has not ruled out running for governor when Mr. Shumlin moves on.

For now, party leaders are focusing on increasing their base and gaining ground in the Legislature — or at least not losing any. “It took a long time to get where we are; it’s going to take time to get back to where we have more relevance and we have more people,” said Rep. Donald H. Turner, the House minority leader, who is trying at least to hold on to the party’s 45 out of 150 seats in the House, despite six retirements.

The party is hopeful that voters will turn its way because of rising education costs and questions about the financing of the single-payer health care system Democrats established in 2011.

Meanwhile, Mr. Milne is building a strategy for a low-key primary on Aug. 26. He appears to be the party’s preferred choice for governor; another candidate, Steve Berry, surprised the party by jumping in, too, but his is considered a fringe campaign. And a candidate who has twice run previously as an independent, Emily Peyton, is running as a Republican, but the party will not support her.

“I feel like there’s an opportunity to win. I wouldn’t bet on it,” said Mr. Milne, 55. “We’ll run a good campaign.”