2012 United States Senate election in Vermont

The 2012 United States Senate election in Vermont was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent independent Senator Bernie Sanders won reelection to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican nominee John MacGovern with 71% of the vote and winning every county, municipality, and precinct. Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist, was first elected with 65% of the vote in 2006 and was the first non-Republican to win this seat since 1850.

Democratic primary

Candidates Bernie Sanders, incumbent U.S. Senator

Sanders also received the nomination of the Vermont Progressive Party, but declined both the Democratic and Progressive nominations after the primary.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared John MacGovern, former Massachusetts State Representative H. Brooke Paige, former CEO of Remmington News Service

Declined Kevin Dorn, former Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Jim Douglas, former governor Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre Tom Salmon, state auditor

Results

General election

Candidates Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union), perennial candidate Cris Ericson (U.S. Marijuana), perennial candidate (also running for Governor) Laurel LaFramboise (VoteKISS) John MacGovern (Republican), former Massachusetts State Representative Peter Moss (Peace and Prosperity) Bernie Sanders (I), incumbent U.S. Senator

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012

Debates Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012 - C-SPAN

Polling

Poll source RandyBrock (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 28% 65% — 7%

Poll source JimDouglas (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 38% 56% — 6%

Poll source BrianDubie (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 34% 60% — 6%

Poll source ThomLauzon (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 24% 63% — 13%

Poll source TomSalmon (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 28% 62% — 10%

Poll source PhilScott (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 30% 61% — 9%

Poll source MarkSnelling (R) BernieSanders (I) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ±2.8% 25% 62% — 13%

Results

By county CountyBernie SandersIndependentJohn MacGovernRepublicanVarious candidatesOther parties#%#%#%Addison12,84572.4%4,32424.37%5723.23%Bennington11,52567.28%4,43725.9%1,1686.82%Caledonia8,76365.08%4,15830.88%5454.04%Chittenden55,61573.69%17,36923.01%2,4913.3%Essex1,74663.82%84830.99%1425.19%Franklin13,60768.97%5,33627.05%7873.98%Grand Isle2,76968.68%1,11927.75%1443.57%Lamoille8,70173.67%2,67222.62%4383.71%Orange9,75070.38%3,53325.5%5704.12%Orleans8,03369.53%3,10626.88%4143.59%Rutland18,28665.13%8,57730.55%1,2144.32%Washington21,50274.23%6,44822.26%1,0173.51%Windham16,05074.7%4,14319.28%1,2946.02%Windsor19,86170.41%7,12825.27%1,2204.33% Totals209,05371.04%73,19824.87%12,0164.09%

References

External links Elections and Campaign Finance Division at the Vermont Secretary of State Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org Outside spending at Sunlight Foundation Candidate issue positions at On the Issues

Official campaign websites (Archived) Cris Ericson for U.S. Senate John MacGovern for U.S. Senate Brooke Paige for U.S. Senate Bernie Sanders for U.S. Senate