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 reelection 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.

For related races, see 2020 United States gubernatorial elections.

2020 Vermont gubernatorial election
November 3, 2020
 
Nominee Phil Scott David Zuckerman
Party Republican Progressive
Alliance Democratic
Popular vote 248,412 99,214
Percentage 68.5% 27.4%
Scott:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Zuckerman:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Tie:      50%
     No votes
Governor before election

Phil Scott
Republican

 Elected Governor

Phil Scott
Republican

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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

Nominee

Eliminated in primary
  • John Klar, lawyer and pastor[3]
  • 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[4]
  • Douglas Cavett[5]

Results
Results by county:
  Scott—80–90%
  Scott—70–80%
  Scott—60–70%
Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Phil Scott (incumbent) 42,275 72.67%
Republican John Klar 12,762 21.94%
Republican Emily Peyton 970 1.67%
Republican Douglas Cavett 966 1.66%
Republican Bernard Peters 772 1.33%
Republican Write-ins 426 0.73%
Total votes 58,171 100.0%

Democratic primary

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%
Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Zuckerman 48,150 47.56%
Democratic Rebecca Holcombe 37,599 37.14%
Democratic Patrick Winburn 7,662 7.57%
Democratic Ralph Corbo 1,288 1.27%
Democratic Write-ins 6,533 6.45%
Total votes 101,232 100.0%

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

Results
Progressive primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive David Zuckerman (write-in) 273 32.62%
Progressive Cris Ericson 254 30.35%
Progressive Boots Wardinski 239 28.55%
Progressive Phil Scott (write-in) 41 4.90%
Progressive Write-ins (other) 30 3.58%
Total votes 837 100.0%

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
Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[23] Safe R October 28, 2020
270toWin[24] Safe R November 2, 2020
Sabato's Crystal Ball[25] Safe R November 2, 2020
The Cook Political Report[26] Safe R October 23, 2020
Politico[27] Likely R November 2, 2020
RCP[28] Likely R November 2, 2020
Daily Kos[29] Safe R October 28, 2020

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 2]		 Margin
of error		 Phil
Scott (R)		 David
Zuckerman (P/D)		 Other /
Undecided
Braun Research September 3–15, 2020 582 (LV) ± 4% 55% 24% 17%[lower-alpha 3]
We Ask America June 2–3, 2020 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 60% 25% 15%
Braun Research February 4–10, 2020 603 (RV) ± 4.0% 52% 29% 19%
Hypothetical polling
with Rebecca Holcombe
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 2]		 Margin
of error		 Phil
Scott
(R)		 Rebecca
Holcombe (D)		 Other /
Undecided
We Ask America June 2–3, 2020 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 62% 20% 18%
Braun Research/VPR 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[30][31]
Individuals
Organizations

Debates & forums

Results
2020 Vermont gubernatorial election[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Phil Scott (incumbent) 248,412 68.49% +13.30
Progressive David Zuckerman 99,214 27.35% N/A
Independent Kevin Hoyt 4,576 1.26% N/A
Independent Emily Peyton 3,505 0.97% N/A
Independent Erynn Hazlett Whitney 1,777 0.49% N/A
Independent Wayne Billado III 1,431 0.39% N/A
Independent Michael A. Devost 1,160 0.32% N/A
Independent Charly Dickerson 1,037 0.29% N/A
Write-in 1,599 0.44% N/A
Total votes 362,711 100.0% +32.33
Rejected ballots 8,257 2.23%
Turnout 370,968 73.27%
Registered electors 506,312
Republican hold
By county
County Phil Scott
Republican		 David Zuckerman
Progressive		 Kevin Hoyt
Independent		 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
  1. Zuckerman is a member of the Progressive Party but also runs in Democratic primaries.
  2. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. "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
  1. Landen, Xander. "Scott says he's undecided on 2020 — but he's already fundraising". Vermont Digger. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  2. Baird, Joel Banner. "Gov. Scott seeks a third term, but will forego a campaign and fundraising". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  3. Margolis, Jon (October 28, 2019). "Margolis: 'Rural populist' and GOP newcomer announces candidacy for governor". VTDigger. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. "Election Information & Resources". sos.vermont.gov. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  5. "Vermont 2020 Candidate List".
  6. "Vermont Election Results - Official Results". Vermont Secretary of State. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. Winger, Richard (August 18, 2020). "David Zuckerman Wins Vermont Progressive Party Gubernatorial Nomination by Write-in Votes". Ballot Access News.
  9. Heintz, Paul (July 16, 2019). "Former Ed Secretary Rebecca Holcombe to Run for Governor of Vermont". Seven Days. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  10. "Winburn for Governor | Winburn2020.com | United States". Mysite.
  11. 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.
  12. Landen, Xander (November 21, 2018). "Hallquist isn't ruling out another run. But for now, she's job hunting". VTDigger. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  13. "Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox announces he is running for Utah governor, vows a 'different,' positive campaign". The Salt Lake Tribune. May 14, 2019.
  14. "Supporter". Rebecca for Vermont. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  15. "EMILY's List Endorses Rebecca Holcombe for Vermont Governor". www.emilyslist.org.
  16. "Bernie Sanders Endorses David Zuckerman for Governor". Seven Days.
  17. "Ben and Jerry Endorse David". David Zuckerman for Governor. February 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  18. "Bill McKibben Endorses David Zuckerman". David Zuckerman for Governor. February 13, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  19. Elder-Connors, Liam. "Progressive Party Asks For Write-In To Beat Gubernatorial Candidates On Its Ballot". www.vpr.org. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  20. "Progressive governor race still too close to call". VTDigger. August 13, 2020.
  21. "VT Elections Database » Candidate Profile..." VT Elections Database.
  22. "VT Elections Database » Candidate Profile..." VT Elections Database.
  23. "2020 Gubernatorial Ratings". insideelections.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. "2020 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270towin.
  25. "2020 Gubernatorial race ratings". Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  26. "2020 Governor Race Ratings for October 23, 2020". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  27. "We rated every gubernatorial race in 2020. Here's who we think will win". Politico. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  28. "2020 Governor Races". RealClearPolitics. June 13, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  29. "2020 Governor Race Ratings". Daily Kos. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  30. @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.
  31. "It Is Time. We Can't Wait". us18.campaign-archive.com.
  32. "Campaign Briefs: Zuckerman announces ex-gov endorsements". The Brattleboro Reformer. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  33. "2020 General Election Canvass Report" (PDF). Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
Official campaign websites
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