2020 Vermont gubernatorial election
The 2020 Vermont gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the governor of Vermont . As Vermont does not impose term limits upon its governors, incumbent Republican governor Phil Scott was eligible to run for re-election to a third two-year term in office. On November 18, 2019, he confirmed that he was running for reelection, but did not yet publicly announce his campaign.[ 1] On May 28, 2020, he officially announced his candidacy but stated that he would not campaign, maintain a campaign staff, or fundraise because of the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont .[ 2] The primary was held on August 11. Scott won re-election to a third term in a landslide , defeating Progressive and Democratic nominee, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman .
Scott's 41-point victory margin was the largest in a Vermont gubernatorial election since 1996 and the largest for a Republican candidate since 1950 , even while Democrat Joe Biden carried the state by a more than the 35-point margin in the concurrent presidential election which was his strongest performance in the nation. Scott would improve upon his performance again in 2022.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Douglas Cavett[ 3]
John Klar, lawyer and pastor[ 4]
Bernard Peters, independent candidate for governor in 2014 and for state representative in 1986
Emily Peyton, independent candidate for governor in 2012 and 2014, Liberty Union nominee for governor in 2018[ 5]
Results
Results by county: Scott—80–90%
Scott—70–80%
Scott—60–70%
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Declined
Endorsements
Rebecca Holcombe
State officials
Party chairs
Organizations
David Zuckerman
Federal officials
Individuals
Debates & forums
Results
Results by county: Zuckerman—50–60%
Zuckerman—40–50%
Zuckerman—30–40%
Holcombe—40–50%
Progressive Party
Leaders within the Progressive Party endorsed David Zuckerman for the gubernatorial election, advocating for Zuckerman to be elected with write-in voters.[ 19] The party has stated that if Cris Ericson won the primary, "they would likely issue a 'non-endorsement.'"[ 19] On election night the progressive nomination was listed as too close to call.[ 20] Zuckerman was confirmed to have won the nomination a few days later when the final write-in vote count was confirmed.
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Cris Ericson , marijuana legalization activist, perennial candidate , and candidate for governor in 2002 , 2004 , 2010 , 2012 , 2016 , and 2018 , candidate for US senator in 2004 , 2010 , 2012 and 2016 , candidate for US representative in 2018 ;[ 5] also ran for other statewide offices
Boots Wardinski, Newbury resident, Liberty Union nominee for lieutenant governor in 2016[ 5]
Results
General election
Candidates
Wayne Billado III (I), also ran for lieutenant governor, state senator from Franklin County, and state representative from Franklin 3-1 district
Michael A. Devost (I)
Charly Dickerson (I)
Kevin Hoyt (I), Republican nominee for state representative from Bennington 2–1 in 2018[ 21]
Emily Peyton (I), candidate for governor in 2012, 2014, and 2018[ 22]
Phil Scott (R), incumbent governor, former lieutenant governor and state senator, construction company owner
Erynn Hazlett Whitney (I)
David Zuckerman (P/D), lieutenant governor, former member of State Legislature, farmer, businessman, environmentalist
Predictions
Polling
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ b]
Margin of error
Phil Scott (R)
David Zuckerman (P/D)
Other / Undecided
Braun Research [ 30]
September 3–15, 2020
582 (LV)
± 4%
55%
24%
17%[ c]
We Ask America [ 31]
June 2–3, 2020
500 (LV)
± 4.4%
60%
25%
15%
Braun Research [ 32]
February 4–10, 2020
603 (RV)
± 4.0%
52%
29%
19%
Hypothetical polling
with Rebecca Holcombe
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size[ b]
Margin of error
Phil Scott (R)
Rebecca Holcombe (D)
Other / Undecided
We Ask America [ 31]
June 2–3, 2020
500 (LV)
± 4.4%
62%
20%
18%
Braun Research /VPR [ 33]
February 4–10, 2020
603 (RV)
± 4.0%
55%
20%
26%
Endorsements
David Zuckerman (P/D)
Federal officials
Bernie Sanders , U.S. senator from Vermont, candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020[ 16]
State politicians
Tim Ashe , Senate president pro tempore, candidate for lieutenant governor in 2020
Christopher Pearson , state senator
Anthony Pollina , state senator, Progressive minority leader
Brenda Siegel, candidate for lieutenant governor in 2020, candidate for governor in 2018[ 34] [ 35]
Individuals
Organizations
Debates and forums
Results
By county
By county
County
Phil Scott Republican
David Zuckerman Progressive
Kevin HoytIndependent
Various candidates Other parties
Write-in
Margin
Total votes
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
#
%
Addison
15,034
68.75
6,218
28.44
125
0.57
405
1.85
85
0.39
8,816
40.32
21,867
Bennington
12,053
60.24
5,846
29.22
1,313
6.56
733
3.66
62
0.31
6,207
31.02
20,007
Caledonia
11,701
73.25
3,471
21.73
224
1.40
475
2.97
102
0.64
8,230
51.52
15,973
Chittenden
64,912
66.50
30,541
31.29
402
0.41
1,499
1.54
261
0.27
34,371
35.21
97,615
Essex
2,408
75.70
551
17.32
62
1.95
135
4.24
25
0.79
1,857
58.38
3,181
Franklin
20,095
78.35
4,251
16.57
268
1.04
908
3.54
127
0.50
15,844
61.77
25,649
Grand Isle
3,755
77.84
924
19.15
26
0.54
111
2.30
8
0.17
2,831
58.69
4,824
Lamoille
10,695
72.19
3,639
24.56
103
0.70
297
2.00
82
0.55
7,056
47.62
14,816
Orange
12,174
71.62
4,132
24.31
222
1.31
379
2.23
92
0.54
8,042
47.31
16,999
Orleans
10,291
74.30
2,690
19.42
252
1.82
478
3.45
140
1.01
7,601
54.88
13,851
Rutland
24,588
73.33
7,129
21.26
582
1.74
944
2.82
287
0.86
17,459
52.07
33,530
Washington
24,188
69.08
9,833
28.08
247
0.71
604
1.72
144
0.41
14,355
41.00
35,016
Windham
13,781
54.05
10,308
40.43
334
1.31
1,021
4.00
55
0.22
3,473
13.62
25,499
Windsor
22,737
67.10
9,681
28.57
416
1.23
921
2.72
129
0.38
13,056
38.53
33,884
Totals
248,412
68.49
99,214
27.35
4,576
1.26
8,910
2.46
1,599
0.44
149,198
41.13
362,711
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Notes
^ Zuckerman is a member of the Progressive Party but also runs in Democratic primaries.
^ a b Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear
^ "Other/not sure/no opinion" with 16%; "No one/not voting on this item" with 1%; Billado (I), Devot (I), Dickerson (I), Hoyt (I), "refused" and Whitney (I) with 0%
References
^ a b Landen, Xander. "Scott says he's undecided on 2020 — but he's already fundraising" . Vermont Digger. Retrieved December 4, 2019 .
^ a b Baird, Joel Banner. "Gov. Scott seeks a third term, but will forego a campaign and fundraising" . Burlington Free Press . Retrieved May 28, 2020 .
^ "Vermont 2020 Candidate List" .
^ Margolis, Jon (October 28, 2019). "Margolis: 'Rural populist' and GOP newcomer announces candidacy for governor" . VTDigger . Retrieved October 30, 2019 .
^ a b c "Election Information & Resources" . sos.vermont.gov . Retrieved May 28, 2020 .
^ a b c "Vermont Election Results - Official Results" . Vermont Secretary of State . Retrieved September 17, 2020 .
^ Kinzel, Bob (January 13, 2020). "Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman Confirms The Speculation: He's Running For Governor In 2020" . Vermont Public Radio . Retrieved February 7, 2020 .
^ Winger, Richard (August 18, 2020). "David Zuckerman Wins Vermont Progressive Party Gubernatorial Nomination by Write-in Votes" . Ballot Access News .
^ Heintz, Paul (July 16, 2019). "Former Ed Secretary Rebecca Holcombe to Run for Governor of Vermont" . Seven Days . Retrieved July 16, 2019 .
^ "Winburn for Governor | Winburn2020.com | United States" . Mysite .
^ Landen, Xander; Norton, Kit; Meyn, Colin (June 5, 2019). "Attorney general eyes run for governor in 2020. 'I've had conversations.' " . VTDigger. Retrieved June 6, 2019 .
^ Landen, Xander (November 21, 2018). "Hallquist isn't ruling out another run. But for now, she's job hunting" . VTDigger. Retrieved March 10, 2019 .
^ "Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announces he is running for Utah governor, vows a 'different,' positive campaign" . The Salt Lake Tribune . May 14, 2019.
^ "Supporter" . Rebecca for Vermont . Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020 .
^ "EMILY's List Endorses Rebecca Holcombe for Vermont Governor" . www.emilyslist.org .
^ a b "Bernie Sanders Endorses David Zuckerman for Governor" . Seven Days .
^ a b c d "Ben and Jerry Endorse David" . David Zuckerman for Governor . February 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020 .
^ a b "Bill McKibben Endorses David Zuckerman" . David Zuckerman for Governor . February 13, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020 .
^ a b Elder-Connors, Liam. "Progressive Party Asks For Write-In To Beat Gubernatorial Candidates On Its Ballot" . www.vpr.org . Retrieved August 13, 2020 .
^ "Progressive governor race still too close to call" . VTDigger . August 13, 2020.
^ "VT Elections Database » Candidate Profile..." VT Elections Database .
^ "VT Elections Database » Candidate Profile..." VT Elections Database .
^ "2020 Gubernatorial Ratings" . insideelections.com . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ "2020 Gubernatorial Elections Map" . 270towin .
^ "2020 Gubernatorial race ratings" . Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball . November 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^ "2020 Governor Race Ratings for October 23, 2020" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved March 11, 2021 .
^ "We rated every gubernatorial race in 2020. Here's who we think will win" . Politico . Retrieved November 19, 2019 .
^ "2020 Governor Races" . RealClearPolitics . June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020 .
^ "2020 Governor Race Ratings" . Daily Kos . June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020 .
^ Braun Research
^ a b We Ask America
^ Braun Research
^ Braun Research/VPR
^ @BrendaForVT (October 3, 2020). "Proud to endorse David Zuckerman for Governor of Vermont! We're not better off than 4 years ago, we need a leader w…" (Tweet ) – via Twitter .
^ "It Is Time. We Can't Wait" . us18.campaign-archive.com .
^ a b c "Campaign Briefs: Zuckerman announces ex-gov endorsements" . The Brattleboro Reformer . September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020 .
^ "2020 General Election Canvass Report" (PDF) . Vermont Secretary of State . Archived from the original (PDF) on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020 .
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