Vermont Primaries: Democrats Aim to Unseat GOP Governor Scott
Vermont Democrats are contesting primaries for governor, lieutenant governor, and state auditor. The main goal is to nominate a candidate capable of challenging Republican Governor Phil Scott, who has secured high vote percentages in previous elections. Voters will also select a Republican challenge
Key takeaways
- Vermont voters are participating in midterm primaries to select nominees for various offices.
- Democrats are contesting for the chance to challenge Republican Governor Phil Scott, who is running unopposed for his party's nomination.
- The primaries also include races for lieutenant governor and state auditor on the Democratic side.
- Republicans will choose a challenger for Democratic Representative Becca Balint.
Vermont voters are participating in midterm primaries on Tuesday, with a key focus on the Democratic contest to nominate a challenger for Republican Governor Phil Scott. This marks the fifth attempt by Democrats to unseat Scott, who has won re-election with substantial margins in the past.
In addition to the gubernatorial race, voters will decide contested Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and state auditor. The Republican party will also choose a nominee to compete against Democratic Representative Becca Balint in the November general election.
Governor Scott, who is unopposed for the Republican nomination, has a track record of significant electoral success, having received 73% of the vote in his 2024 re-election bid and 69% in 2022. He has also distinguished himself as a Republican critic of former President Donald Trump.
What Happened
Tuesday's primaries feature Democratic contests for governor, lieutenant governor, and state auditor. The outcome of these races will determine the challengers for Republican incumbents and for Democratic Rep. Becca Balint. Governor Phil Scott faces no opposition for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Key Facts
- Vermont Democrats aim to nominate a gubernatorial candidate to challenge Republican Governor Phil Scott.
- The state is holding contested Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and state auditor.
- Republicans will select a nominee to challenge Democratic Rep. Becca Balint.
- Governor Phil Scott is unopposed for the Republican nomination and has won previous elections with high vote percentages (73% in 2024, 69% in 2022).
- Two Democrats, economist Amanda Janoo and former child advocacy CEO Aly Richards, are vying to challenge Scott.
- Aly Richards has secured endorsements from former Democratic Governors Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin.
- Richards' campaign had raised approximately $453,000, while Janoo's had raised about $308,000 as of the reporting period.
- Richards possessed approximately double the cash reserves of Janoo at the end of July.
- Governor, lieutenant governor, and state constitutional officers in Vermont serve two-year terms.
- Democratic lawmakers experienced significant losses in the 2024 general election, losing over two dozen seats in the state Senate and House.
- Approximately 501,000 registered voters were in Vermont as of July.
- Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.
- Registered voters in Vermont can participate in any party's primary, as the state does not register voters by party.
- About 17,000 ballots had already been cast by Friday for Tuesday's election.
Background
If re-elected and he completes another term, Governor Scott could surpass Howard Dean as Vermont's longest-serving governor. In the 2024 general election, Democratic state lawmakers lost more than 24 seats across both the state Senate and House, ending their supermajorities. This year's primaries also include contests for Democratic incumbents in five state Senate districts and 11 state House districts, while Republican incumbents face challengers in only one state Senate district.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
