2024 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election
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Rodgers: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Zuckerman: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Tie: 40–50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 2024 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024. Republican former state Senator John Rodgers defeated incumbent Progressive Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman who was running for re-election to a fourth non-consecutive term in office.[2][3]
The election was held concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primary elections took place on August 13, 2024.[4]
Zuckerman conceded to Rodgers on November 7, but suggested that the legislature could still elect him as the Constitution of Vermont allows lawmakers to vote to install any of the top three vote-getters in an election when no candidate reaches 50 percent of the vote. On January 9, 2025 the Vermont General Assembly elected Rodgers by a vote of 158 to 18.
Progressive primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Withdrew after nomination
[edit]- Zoraya Hightower, former Burlington city councilor[5][6]
Replacement nominee
[edit]- David Zuckerman,[a] incumbent lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–present)[7]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | Zoraya Hightower | 257 | 62.08 | |
| Progressive | Undervotes[b] | 72 | 17.39 | |
| Democratic | David Zuckerman (write-in) | 55 | 13.29 | |
| Write-in | 29 | 7.01 | ||
| Progressive | Overvotes | 1 | 0.24 | |
| Total votes | 414 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- David Zuckerman,[a] incumbent lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–present)[2]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]State legislators
- Christopher Bray, state senator[10]
- Kesha Ram Hinsdale, state senator[10]
- Kitty Toll, former state representative (Renner's campaign treasurer)[10]
State legislators
Organizations
Campaign
[edit]Renner largely avoided criticizing Zuckerman, instead pointing to the representation he would bring to the role as a black gay man. Renner also promised not to "switch parties or add other party affiliations after the primary," which VTDigger interpreted as a dig against Zuckerman's membership in the Vermont Progressive Party. Renner described himself as "progressive, with a small 'p'." Zuckerman ran on his experience, pointing to the many years he served in the state legislature before his election as lieutenant governor.[10]
Zuckerman outraised Renner significantly, taking in over $111,000 compared to roughly $43,000 for Renner. VTDigger pointed out that more than a third of Renner's fundraising came from wealthy Republicans; Renner claimed that these donations were unsolicited and came as a surprise to him.[10]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Zuckerman (incumbent) | 28,729 | 55.28 | |
| Democratic | Thomas Renner | 18,838 | 36.25 | |
| Democratic | Undervotes[b] | 3,760 | 7.24 | |
| Write-in | 603 | 1.16 | ||
| Democratic | Overvotes | 39 | 0.08 | |
| Total votes | 51,969 | 100.0 | ||
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Nominee
[edit]- John Rodgers, former Democratic state senator (2013–2021)[11]
Eliminated in primary
[edit]Endorsements
[edit]Statewide officials
Campaign
[edit]Rodgers campaigned as a moderate, saying he does not plan to vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Thayer positioned himself as the more conservative candidate, calling himself "the only Republican in this race."[13]
Results
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Rodgers | 13,840 | 55.39 | |
| Republican | Gregory Thayer | 8,619 | 34.50 | |
| Republican | Undervotes[b] | 2,257 | 9.03 | |
| Write-in | 234 | 0.94 | ||
| Republican | Overvotes | 35 | 0.14 | |
| Total votes | 24,985 | 100.0 | ||
General election
[edit]Candidates
[edit]- Ian Diamondstone, trade consultant (Green Mountain Peace and Justice)[14]
- John Rodgers, former Democratic state senator (2013–2021)[11] (Republican)
- David Zuckerman,[a] incumbent lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–present)[2] (Progressive, Democratic)
Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[15] | Safe D | January 31, 2024 |
Results
[edit]On November 5, Rodgers received a plurality of the vote over Zuckerman.[16]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Rodgers | 171,854 | 48.76% | ||
| Progressive/Democratic | David Zuckerman (incumbent) | 165,876 | 47.07% | ||
| Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party | Ian Diamondstone | 13,671 | 3.88% | ||
| Write-in | 1,013 | 0.29% | |||
| Total votes | 352,414 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican gain from Progressive | |||||
Contingent election
[edit]Because the Constitution of Vermont requires a majority vote for election as lieutenant governor, the Vermont General Assembly voted on January 9, 2025 to determine the winner. Although the General Assembly has always voted to ratify the winner of the popular vote since 1976, Diamondstone has urged the General Assembly to elect Zuckerman on the grounds that a majority of voters supported the two more liberal candidates in the race. Zuckerman conceded the popular election on November 7, 2024, but expressed agreement with Diamondstone's argument and said he would "point out those facts" to the legislators, though he said he would not make a "strong effort" on his own behalf and "[didn't] think [the Assembly was] going to decide to do that".[16] The Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party called on the legislature to elect Zuckerman.[18] Ultimately, the legislature chose to elect Rodgers despite these calls.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Rodgers | 158 | 87.77% | |
| Progressive/Democratic | David Zuckerman (incumbent) | 18 | 10.23% | |
| Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party | Ian Diamondstone | 0 | 0% | |
| Total votes | ||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b c Zuckerman is a member of the Progressive Party, but also runs with the Democratic Party's nomination via Vermont's electoral fusion system
- ^ a b c Blank ballots
References
[edit]- ^ Duffort, Lola. "Lawmakers elect Republican John Rodgers as lieutenant governor". Vermontpublic.org. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c Mearhoff, Sarah (May 2, 2024). "David Zuckerman is seeking reelection to lieutenant governor's office". VTDigger. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Shaun (August 14, 2024). "David Zuckerman, John Rodgers win Vermont's lieutenant governor primaries". VTDigger. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "2024 State Primary Election Dates". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Boronski, Tyler (June 6, 2024). "Progressive Zoraya Hightower has no intentions of campaigning for lieutenant governor; despite being on the ballot". mynbc5.com. WPTZ. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
She plans to withdraw from the race after the primaries regardless of the results. Even if Zuckerman loses the Democratic race, if she withdraws, the party can nominate him as their replacement Progressive candidate.
- ^ Mearhoff, Sarah (August 21, 2024). "With primary results certified, Vermont's 2024 candidates are set". VTDigger. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Progressive Endorsed or Nominated Candidates". Vermont Progressive Party. Retrieved August 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c Secretary of State of Vermont (August 13, 2024). "Lieutenant Governor". electionresults.vermont.gov. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ a b McDonald, Corey (May 16, 2024). "Winooski deputy mayor announces bid for lieutenant governor". VTDigger. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Robinson, Shaun (July 25, 2024). "A newcomer takes on a Statehouse veteran in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Cutler, Calvin (May 23, 2024). "Rodgers to run for Vermont lieutenant governor". WCAX-TV. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Higdon, Bridget (August 8, 2024). "John S. Rodgers looks for Republican nod for Lt. Governor, says he's an 'average Vermonter'". Milton Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Shaun (July 26, 2024). "Vermont's Republican lieutenant governor primary puts party affiliation to the test". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ Stewart, Megan. "Vermont Voter Guide: Who is running for lieutenant governor?". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (January 31, 2024). "This Year's Key Attorney General and Secretary of State Races". University of Virginia Center for Politics.
- ^ a b Heintz, Paul; Robinson, Shaun (November 7, 2024). "David Zuckerman concedes lieutenant governor's race to John Rodgers — but with a caveat". VTDigger. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
- ^ "2024 General Election Canvass Report" (PDF). VT SOS. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "David Zuckerman (mostly) concedes the lieutenant governor's race". Vermont Public. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites