She was the 2008 Democratic nominee for the 2008 Vermont gubernatorial election against Republican Governor Jim Douglas and Independent Anthony Pollina.

Symington is married to Chuck Lacy, movie producer and former president of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

Symington attended Williams College as an undergraduate, and holds a master's degree in business administration from Cornell University in 1983.

In May 2008 she announced she would seek the Democratic nomination for Governor of Vermont in the 2008 election against incumbent Republican Jim Douglas and Independent Anthony Pollina.

Symington's campaign was adversely affected when it was discovered she did not fully disclose her family's income.